USMC’s Amphibious Combat Vehicle Reaches Full-Rate Production

The U.S. Marine Corps’ Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) is now in full-rate production after the service declared initial operational capability (IOC) last month.

Earlier today, DoD announced a $184.44 million contract to BAE Systems for ACV full-rate production. This modification provides for the procurement of 36 full rate production ACVs and other associated production costs for the Marine Corps. Work is expected to be completed in November 2022.

The ACV is an advanced, next generation vehicle for conducting ship-to-shore operations and effectively getting Marines into the fight.

The full-rate production milestone comes shortly after the Marine Corps declared the ACV ready to conduct missions around the world under IOC on November 13. The IOC declaration is also a significant milestone for the program and demonstrates the Marine Corps’ confidence in the vehicle.

The ACV is a mobile, survivable, and adaptable platform for conducting full spectrum ship-to-shore operations and brings enhanced combat power to the battlefield. Developed with teammate IVECO Defence Vehicles, the ACV represents the optimum balance of sea and land mobility, survivability, and future growth potential. With a force protection capability three times greater than the Assault Amphibious Vehicle, the ACV is designed so Marines can complete their missions successfully. It provides substantially increased horsepower, with its six-cylinder, 690 horsepower engine, making it capable of land speeds exceeding 55 mph. Its modular design will also provide Marines the flexibility to address additional mission roles and future technologies as they evolve.

This first lot of full-rate production is planned to grow to 72 vehicles in early 2021, with the options calling for 80 vehicles annually over five years.

BAE Systems is currently under a $67 million contract modification awarded in June 2019 to develop new variants for the ACV Family of Vehicles to enhance battlefield situational awareness and firepower. The contract calls for the design and development of the command (ACV-C) and the 30mm medium caliber cannon (ACV-30) variants, which are underway.