US firm's 70,000-lb combat vehicles to boost Marine Corps' battle power

BAE Systems, a Virginia-based defense contractor, is set to deliver dozens of next-generation Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACVs) to the U.S. Marine Corps under a $195 million contract. These 70,000-pound ACV-30 vehicles are designed to enhance the Marine Corps’ mobility, survivability, and adaptability in amphibious operations, providing improved firepower and the capability to engage enemy targets at greater distances. The ACV platform includes several variants such as the ACV-Personnel (ACV-P), which carries 13 combat-loaded Marines plus crew, the ACV-Command (ACV-C) with multiple workstations for situational awareness, and the ACV-Recovery (ACV-R) variant for field-level maintenance and repair. The ACV represents a significant upgrade over the 40-year-old Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV), featuring an 8×8 amphibious design with a proven H-Drive System for all-wheel traction on land and