U.S. Marines Boost Amphibious Firepower with New ACV-30 Vehicles Armed with 30mm Cannon.

The U.S. Marine Corps is poised to receive its first ACV-30 Amphibious Combat Vehicles armed with 30mm cannons, following the announcement on April 29, 2025, of a $188 million full-rate production contract awarded to BAE Systems. This contract marks a major milestone in the U.S. Marine Corps’ effort to modernize its ground combat capabilities and reflects its broader strategic focus on preparing for high-end conflict and operations in complex littoral environments. 
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The U.S. Marine Corps’ new ACV-30, armed with a 30mm cannon, enhances amphibious capabilities for future expeditionary operations. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

The ACV-30 is one of four key variants within the Amphibious Combat Vehicle program, developed by BAE Systems in partnership with Italy-based Iveco Defense Vehicles. It is designed not only to replace the aging AAV (Amphibious Assault Vehicle) fleet but also to serve as a modular, adaptable platform that can meet the demands of modern and future warfare.

The primary goal of the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) program is to equip the U.S. Marine Corps with a new generation of vehicles that offer improved mobility, survivability, and lethality across a range of expeditionary scenarios. The program is a foundational element of the Marine Corps' Force Design 2030 initiative, which aims to restructure the force for distributed maritime operations, peer-level conflict, and expeditionary advanced base operations (EABO). The ACV program is not just a vehicle replacement effort—it is a transformative capability initiative intended to give Marines the tactical flexibility and combat effectiveness needed in the emerging operational landscape.

The ACV-30 variant in particular addresses a longstanding capability gap by providing Marine infantry units with organic, mobile fire support during both amphibious assaults and ground combat operations. Unlike the ACV Personnel variant (ACV-P), which is focused on troop transport, the ACV-30 brings direct fire capabilities to the battlefield. Its main armament is the XM813 30mm chain gun mounted on a Kongsberg PROTECTOR Medium Caliber Turret (MCT-30). This stabilized, remotely operated weapon system allows for precise, on-the-move engagements day or night and is capable of using advanced programmable airburst munitions. This makes the ACV-30 particularly effective against threats such as drones, light armored vehicles, and fortified enemy positions in both open and urban terrain.

Built on a rugged 8x8 wheeled platform, the ACV-30 weighs over 35 tons and is powered by a 700-horsepower engine, giving it the ability to travel at more than 65 mph (105 km/h) on land and up to 6 knots in the water. It is also designed with scalable modular armor and an open electronic architecture, allowing for future upgrades such as active protection systems or electronic warfare capabilities. These features ensure that the vehicle will remain adaptable to evolving threats and mission requirements.

The vehicles will be manufactured across several BAE Systems facilities in the United States, including locations in York, Pennsylvania; Aiken, South Carolina; San Jose, California; Sterling Heights, Michigan; and Stafford, Virginia. This distributed production strategy supports a resilient defense industrial base and sustains hundreds of skilled American manufacturing jobs. Iveco Defence Vehicles continues to supply the vehicle hulls from its production line in Italy, underscoring the international cooperation that underpins the program. Final integration and testing are conducted in the United States to ensure compliance with Marine Corps standards and supply chain security.

Following delivery, the production-standard ACV-30s will undergo operational testing and evaluation by the Marine Corps. These tests will assess performance in diverse scenarios such as amphibious landings, mechanized infantry support, and urban combat in denied or contested environments. The ACV-30 will be fielded as part of Amphibious Ready Groups (ARGs) and Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs), reinforcing the Corps’ forward-deployed forces and increasing its ability to respond rapidly to global crises.

Ultimately, the ACV-30 represents more than just a technological upgrade—it reflects a doctrinal shift in how the U.S. Marine Corps is preparing to fight in the 21st century. By combining mobility, firepower, and survivability in a single, adaptable platform, the ACV-30 will play a vital role in enabling distributed maritime operations and supporting expeditionary missions worldwide. Its introduction will give Marine units the operational edge they need to dominate across a range of environments, from coastal landing zones to dense urban battlefields, while aligning closely with the Corps’ long-term vision for transformation under Force Design 2030.