USMC Prepares For Amphibious Combat Vehicle Contest.

The US Marine Corps (USMC) is assessing industry responses to the second of two draft requests for proposals (RfPs) for an eight-wheeled amphibious combat vehicle (ACV) optimised for land operations and shoreline tactical mobility.

USMC Prepares For Amphibious Combat Vehicle Contest.

Procurement officials at Marine Corps Systems Command are expected to issue a final RfP for ACV Phase 1 Increment 1 (ACV 1.1) following discussions with prospective contractors during the week beginning 26 January.

Four industry teams are understood to be in contention, each proposing modified variants of off-the-shelf 8x8 armoured infantry carriers in service elsewhere: BAE Systems/Iveco (with their SuperAV vehicle), General Dynamics (LAV 6.0), Lockheed Martin/Patria (Havoc), and SAIC/ST Kinetics (Terrex II).

Having seen previous attempts to procure a replacement for its elderly Assault Amphibious Vehicles (AAVs) thwarted by cost and performance requirement challenges, the USMC expects its current plans for an affordable ACV - costing no more than USD5 million apiece - to achieve initial operational capability in 2020 and full operational capability in 2023.

According to a request for information (RfI) published in April 2014, and associated documentation, the USMC is seeking a wheeled vehicle to provide protected mobility for 10-13 troops and three crew during ground operations (with a range of 300-500 miles) and shore-to-shore and riverine manoeuvres (up to 3 n miles). With a maximum swimming speed of 5-8 kt, the vehicle will be able to negotiate coastal waters with a 2 ft significant wave height and plunging surf of 4-6 ft.

Other key requirements include the provision of self-defence and direct fire support for dismounted troops via a remotely operated and stabilised 0.5-inch machine gun, with growth potential for a 30-40 mm weapon.

A first draft RfP for ACV 1.1 was published by the Program Executive Officer Land Systems/Program Manager Advanced Amphibious Assault in November 2014, with the second draft appearing on 8 January 2015. A full RfP is expected in the second quarter of fiscal year 2015, leading to the award of engineering, manufacturing, and development (EMD) contracts to two companies - each for 16 vehicles - in the first quarter of FY 2016.

The 32 EMD prototypes will integrate a number of government furnished items, including communications and navigation equipment; nuclear, biological, and chemical warning systems; and a marinised M153 CROWS II (Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station) fitted with a 0.5-inch M2 machine gun or Mk 19 40 mm grenade launcher.

Once ACV 1.1 developmental and operational testing is completed, the USMC will downselect to a single contractor in the second quarter of FY 2018 to meet the approved acquisition objective of 204 vehicles, comprising 56 low-rate initial production (LRIP) vehicles with options for the full rate production (FRP) of 148 vehicles.

The Integrated Program Plan includes an LRIP Lot 1 requirement for 26 vehicles in standard personnel carrier configuration (plus four vehicles for live-fire lethality and survivability trials). LRIP Lot 2 (FY 2019) will see the construction of 30 ACVs, with FRP Lots 1, 2, and 3 adding 30, 80, and 38 vehicles, respectively, in FY 2020, FY 2021, and FY 2022.

Future plans include the procurement of 490 enhanced ACV 1.2 vehicles, reintroducing an organic over-the-horizon ship-to-shore capability and, in the longer term, an all-new ACV 2.0 intended for high-speed surface transit.

Meanwhile, the legacy AAVs will undergo an upgrade programme extending their lives to 2035; thereafter ACVs alone will provide the amphibious lift capability for 12 marine battalions.