The US Marine Corps has awarded BAE Systems Land & Armaments an $88 million contract to build and deliver multiple amphibious combat vehicles for testing.
The firm will provide Mission Role Variant Medium Caliber Cannon (ACV-30) Production Representative Test Vehicles (PRTVs) that will undergo critical reviews for a full-rate production decision.
The firm will utilize $30 million of the award for the initial phase of the contract. This will involve research, development, testing, and evaluation this year.
The work for the contract will be performed in Norway, Italy, and facilities in the United States. The expected completion date for the project is July 2025.
The ACV-30
The ACV is effective for simultaneous sea and land missions, combining BAE Systems legacy amphibious vehicles and Iveco Defence Vehicles multi-purpose armored vehicles.
The vehicle is one of four variants the firm develops. The line includes a personnel variant (ACV-P), command variant (ACV-C), and a recovery variant (ACV-R).
The ACV-30 carries a stabilized, medium caliber Remote Turret System (RT-20) built by defense utilities group KONGSBERG.
The 30-millimeter weapon system is remotely controlled for operator safety and lightweight for enhanced mobility, allowing greater space for other mission-essential equipment.
“The unmanned KONGSBERG RT-20 medium caliber turret is designed to meet the current and future needs of the Marine Corps as they move forward in implementing the future operating vision known as Force Design 2030,” KONGSBERG Protech Systems USA PResident Scott Burk said.
“The fielding of this vehicle system provides the Marines with a low risk, and operationally proven solution.”