BAE Systems receives US Marine Corps contract for additional ACVs
The US Marine Corps has awarded BAE Systems a contract modification for the second lot of full rate production of Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACVs), equating to US$169 million (£125m) for 33 vehicles.
Above:
Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACVs) swimming to land during swim testing in the Pacific Ocean.
Courtesy BAE Systems
The ACV is proven and highly mobile, capable of conducting rapid ship-to-objective manoeuvres and delivering enhanced combat power to the Fleet Marine Forces. Developed with teammate IVECO Defence Vehicles, the ACV represents the optimum balance of sea and land mobility and survivability, with future growth potential.
“BAE Systems is dedicated to helping the Marines meet their expeditionary and Force Design 2030 needs,” said John Swift, director of amphibious programmes at BAE Systems, referring to the Marine Corps’ force structure goal for combat operations in a rapidly-evolving future environment. “This follow-on contract is a testament to our commitment of getting this critical capability to the warfighter and supporting the Marine Corps’ priorities.”
BAE Systems is already under contract to deliver two variants of the ACV Family of Vehicles to the Marine Corps: the ACV personnel variant (ACV-P) and the ACV command variant (ACV-C). The company has also received a design and development contract for a 30mm cannon variant (ACV-30) and a recovery vehicle (ACV-R) is also planned.
In addition, BAE Systems has received task instructions from the US Marine Corps to complete a study of incorporating Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle Command, Control, Communication and Computers/Unmanned Aerial Systems mission payload into an Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) variant.
BAE Systems was awarded the first full-rate ACV production Lot 1 contract option in December 2020 for the first 36 vehicles and the second option in February of 2021 for an additional 36 vehicles. last autumn, the ACV team delivered the 100th Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) ACV to the Marine Corps and is on schedule to complete LRIP deliveries by January 2022, as ACV fielding to the Fleet Marine Forces continues on time and budget.
ACV production and support is taking place at BAE Systems locations in Stafford, Va., San Jose, Calif., Sterling Heights, Mich., Aiken, S.C. and York, Pa., USA.