SAIC delivers first amphibious vehicle prototype to USMC for testing
NewsFebruary 22, 2017
CHARLESTON, S.C. Officials at Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) delivered the first Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) 1.1 prototype to the U.S. Marine Corps during a ceremony in Charleston, South Carolina. This is the first of 16 vehicles to be delivered for testing by the Marine Corps under an engineering, manufacturing, and development (EMD) contract initially awarded in February of last year.
Officials say, testing is scheduled to begin next month. The contract is worth an estimated $121.5 million. Additionally, SAIC is currently the prime contractor providing the Marine Corps with initial survivability upgrades to 10 Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV) prototypes.
SAIC’s ACV 1.1 vehicle is a customized variant of ST Kinetics’ TERREX vehicle fielded by the Singapore Armed Forces. Engineers tailored it to meet Marine Corps requirements. The ACV is an 8x8 wheeled, armored amphibious vehicle with improved survivability, mobility, lethality, and C4ISR capability to transport Marine Corps fighting units from ship to shore.
On land, the ACV 1.1’s independent suspension system improves ground mobility and ride quality for Marines. In water, its hydraulically driven propulsion systems with full independent thrust control authority and innovative water mode cooling solution supports safe operation at Sea-State 3 for ship-to-shore operational employment and through six-foot plunging surf.
Within the vehicle, technologies include 360-degree situational awareness, force protection through leading blast protection seats, and a V-Over-VTM hull design to keep Marines alive in combat. All EMD vehicle hulls are manufactured and integrated in the United States.
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