Prototypes of the Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle-30, which Textron Systems and General Dynamics Land Systems built for the U.S. Marine Corps, completed their first swim tests earlier this year at the Amphibious Vehicle Testing Branch in Camp Pendleton, California.
The 2026 Navy Summit, hosted by the Potomac Officers Club on Aug. 27, will bring together Navy leaders, defense officials and industry representatives to discuss modernization priorities, emerging technologies and the future of naval operations. Register today!
Table of Contents
What Did the ARV-30 Swim Tests Evaluate?
The companies each developed two ARV versions that underwent water mobility demonstrations, including still water and calm water operations to evaluate amphibious performance and gather data to refine their vehicle designs ahead of the next phase of the program, the Marine Corps said Monday. The events were conducted under a rapid prototyping program managed by Program Manager Light Armored Vehicles.
Following the swim testing milestone, the Marine Corps plans to conclude the rapid prototyping phase and transition to the program’s pre-production development stage.
Under the next phase, Textron and GDLS are expected to build 16 prototypes of various ARV variants over a four-and-a-half-year competition period. Following additional testing and a final design selection around 2030, the winner will deliver six ARVs to the Fleet Marine Force.
What Capabilities Does the ARV Program Aim to Deliver?
The ARV is intended to replace the Marine Corps’ Light Armored Vehicle, which has been in service for more than four decades. The new platform is designed to operate as a networked reconnaissance system capable of integrating sensors, communications systems and autonomous technologies to enable manned and unmanned teaming operations.
“There is no question the LAV has been a wonderful vehicle for the Marine Corps for the last 40+ years, but there’s a limit to how much you can iterate on a 40-year-old design,” said Col. Christopher Stephenson, program manager of PM LAV. “The ARV brings a truly modern platform, designed using the best commercial practices for significant safety and interconnectivity improvements.”
What Features Are Included in the GDLS ARV-30 Prototype?
GDLS’ ARV-30 prototype is designed to enhance mobility, survivability and lethality. The vehicle connects to onboard and offboard sensors and unmanned aerial systems, and is designed with a modular open architecture to support the integration of new technologies. The platform also incorporates the company’s Next Generation Electronic Architecture to enable artificial intelligence functionality and control of robotic systems.
What Capabilities Does Textron’s Cottonmouth Prototype Provide?
Textron developed the Cottonmouth prototype in partnership with Elbit Systems of America as part of their joint bid for the Marine Corps’ ARV program. The platform is designed for sustained reconnaissance missions and supports organic unmanned systems operations. An Elbit executive previously said the ARV concept includes a multidomain situational awareness suite that provides significant increases in lethality and survivability.
What Acquisition Strategy Is the Marine Corps Using?
The ARV program is using other transaction agreements with Textron Systems and GDLS, allowing the Marine Corps to utilize flexible contracting mechanisms designed to speed development.
Stephenson said the program also uses the middle tier acquisition pathway to reduce development timelines.
“The ARV program is a prime example of how we are thinking differently about major acquisitions. By leveraging Middle Tier Acquisition pathways and Other Transactional Authorities, we are empowered to move faster than traditional models,” he said.
Related Articles
The White House on Monday announced that President Donald Trump nominated Jim O’Neill, most recently deputy secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services, to serve as director of the National Science Foundation for a six-year term. O’Neill’s nomination at NSF comes after recent leadership changes at HHS, where he served as acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention while also serving as deputy secretary. Why Is the NSF Director Position Open? The position has been vacant for nearly 10 months following the resignation of former NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan in April 2025 after five years
The Department of War has awarded Istari Federal, operating as Istari Digital, a prototype other transaction agreement to build the Mission Engineering Automation Testbed, or MEAT, which seeks to enhance how mission engineering insights are produced and used to support joint force operations. The National Security Technology Accelerator said Tuesday the OTA is expected to have a potential value of up to $50 million, including possible follow-on phases for logistical support and expanded system integration. The agreement was issued through the Naval Surface Warfare Center’s Crane Division under the Strategic & Spectrum Missions Advanced Resilient Trusted Systems OTA, known as
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management has appointed Kurt Dykstra as general counsel, placing him in charge of the agency’s legal office and policy advisory functions. What Will Kurt Dykstra Do at OPM? The agency said Dykstra will serve as chief legal officer and oversee the Office of the General Counsel, providing legal guidance to OPM’s director and senior leadership. OPM Director Scott Kupor said Dykstra brings leadership experience and legal expertise that will help the agency address complex workforce and legal challenges. “He understands how strong governance, accountability, and sound legal strategy support effective government. I am confident his leadership will help