Exclusive Report: U.S. Marines shift from old tracked AAV to modern 8x8 ACV Amphibious Combat Vehicle.

The United States Marine Corps is undergoing a pivotal transformation in its amphibious assault capabilities, marked by the replacement of its long-serving Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV) tracked armored vehicle with the modern Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV), an 8x8 wheeled armored vehicle. This shift is not only about updating old hardware; it represents a strategic recalibration to meet the demands of contemporary and future conflicts, particularly in littoral and Indo-Pacific environments.
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The 8x8 Amphibious Combat Vehicle replaces the legacy AAV, offering Marines greater survivability and ocean-to-land versatility in modern combat scenarios. (Picture source: U.S DoD)

The legacy AAV-P7/A1, an amphibious tracked armored vehicle that entered service in the early 1970s, was designed during the Cold War for large-scale amphibious landings. Over the decades, its limitations in survivability, firepower, and mobility have become increasingly apparent. This was tragically underscored by the 2020 training accident off the coast of California, where the sinking of an AAV claimed the lives of eight Marines and one Navy corpsman. The incident intensified scrutiny and accelerated the push to adopt a safer, more capable platform, ushering in the era of the ACV.

Developed by BAE Systems in partnership with Italy’s Iveco Defence Vehicles, the ACV (Amphibious Combat Vehicle) embodies a leap forward in amphibious warfare. The new vehicle integrates cutting-edge design features that address the operational deficiencies of its predecessor while aligning with the Marine Corps’ Force Design 2030 modernization blueprint. It boasts a robust 8x8 wheeled configuration, granting it superior mobility on diverse terrain compared to the AAV's tracked chassis. This not only improves speed and maneuverability on land but also reduces maintenance complexity and logistical burden.

In terms of amphibious capabilities, the ACV is engineered to perform reliable open-ocean transits and seamless ship-to-shore operations. It can launch from amphibious ships well beyond the littorals, powered by dual water jets that enable high-speed movement through surf and coastal waters. Its ability to operate in rougher sea states significantly expands the operational envelope for amphibious assaults, offering commanders more flexibility in planning and executing maritime landings.

Protection is another core enhancement. The ACV is built on a V-shaped hull design with blast-mitigating seats to safeguard occupants from underbody threats such as mines and improvised explosive devices. Its modular armor system can be upgraded in-theater, offering scalable protection levels depending on mission requirements. This is a significant upgrade from the AAV, which lacked sufficient protection against modern battlefield threats.

Firepower has also been considerably upgraded, particularly with the development of the ACV-30 variant. This model features a 30mm remote weapon station, far more powerful than the .50 caliber machine guns or 40mm grenade launchers previously mounted on AAVs. The Kongsberg medium-caliber turret provides high-precision direct fire capability, allowing the ACV-30 to support infantry with effective engagement of light armored vehicles, fortifications, and enemy personnel at extended ranges. Combined with advanced fire control and day/night optics, it ensures overmatch in most direct-fire scenarios.

The vehicle’s digital command-and-control systems are also a significant step forward. The ACV-C command variant integrates enhanced communications, situational awareness tools, and planning systems, serving as a mobile battlefield command node. These systems ensure the Marines can maintain real-time operational oversight and coordination during high-intensity amphibious operations, particularly in distributed and expeditionary environments.

The ACV family also includes a recovery variant (ACV-R) and a personnel carrier (ACV-P), each tailored to specific battlefield support roles. The personnel carrier version accommodates up to 13 Marines plus a three-person crew, ensuring rapid and protected transport of infantry forces from ship to shore and beyond. Its design emphasizes modularity, allowing future upgrades or mission-specific configurations.

Operational testing and deployments have validated the ACV's performance. In May 2024, the vehicle made its first international debut during Exercise Balikatan in the Philippines, participating in amphibious drills with allied forces. In December of the same year, ACVs assigned to the 4th Marine Regiment completed their first open-water amphibious movement off the coast of Okinawa, Japan. These exercises underscore the ACV’s readiness and strategic relevance in the Indo-Pacific, a region where amphibious capability is central to U.S. force posture.

The Marine Corps plans to procure at least 632 ACVs across all variants, with ongoing deliveries and enhancements expected over the coming years. This program represents a cornerstone of the Marine Corps’ transition toward a more agile, survivable, and lethal force, optimized for expeditionary operations in contested maritime environments.

The ACV is more than just a replacement for the aging AAV; it is a symbol of the Marine Corps’ evolution. With improved mobility, protection, firepower, and digital integration, the ACV equips the Marines with a versatile and survivable platform that meets the challenges of modern amphibious warfare. This strategic investment ensures the Corps retains its critical role as America’s forward-deployed force in readiness, capable of rapid response across the globe.