The U.S. Marine Corps has tested the underwater travel and survivability of the new amphibious combat vehicle, reaching new milestones. The concluded test confirms the ACV’s aptitude to replace USMC’s older assault amphibious vehicle, the branch said Monday.
BAE Systems, the program’s contractor, began ACV’s low rate initial production in June 2018, leading to a series of tests with USMC’s Advanced Amphibious Assault program office. The ACV program’s milestones elevated its incremental product approach to a consolidated family of vehicles.
“The program office tested the vehicle to all of the ACV 1.2 transition requirements and even subjected the vehicle to nine-foot waves without issues,†said Col. Kirk Mullins, program manager for advanced amphibious assault at USMC. “Because of this, the Marine Corps has the opportunity to combine the program into a singular ACV family of vehicles program,” he added.
Angelo Scarlato, ACV 1.1 product manager at Program Executive Office Land Systems, attributes the program’s progress to a competitive procurement approach.
“The competition worked, from getting increased performance out of our industry partners and the vehicle at a reasonable price,” he said.
