The U.S. Marine Corps just took delivery of its newest amphibian vessel: the ACV-30. The eight-wheeled combat fighting vehicle is a key part of the Marine Corps' plan for combat in the Pacific, if the need arises.
Built by BAE systems and Iveco, the ACV-30 can launch from the open sea , sail up to 12 nautical miles to shore and then drive up to 250 miles on land. It can also drive up to 65 miles an hour on paved roads.
“This is the first time the ACVs have been out here in Okinawa, Japan," 1st Lt. Kendra Campbell, the ACV platoon commander for the 4th Marines, said . "We're really excited to start operating with them and testing them out in this environment. They ACVs add an increased lethality to the Marine Corps due to their ship to shore surface connector capability as well as an increased protection for the troops that will be embarked inside the vehicles due to their V-shaped hull.”
The all-wheel drive ACV-30 is part of a long-planned upgrade from the Marines' 1970s-era amphibious assault vehicle .
A crew of three operates the ACV-30, and it can carry an additional 13 marines. The vehicle is also armed with the largest direct-fire gun in the Marines' inventory.
These amphibious battle vehicles will cost the Marines a pretty penny. Each will cost between $3 million and $4.5 million. The Marines expect to take delivery of 632 ACVs in total. 175 of them will be ACV-30s.
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