U.S. Marines Deploy New Amphibious Combat Vehicle From USS Makin Island Ship in Ship-to-Shore Operation.

The U.S. Marine Corps deployed its new ACV-P (Amphibious Combat Vehicle - Personnel Carrier) in the family of Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACVs) during ship-to-shore operations from USS Makin Island off the coast of California on January 23, 2026, highlighting the ongoing modernization of amphibious warfare for rapid crisis response and forward-deployed operations.

U.S. Marines from 3rd Assault Amphibious Battalion, 1st Marine Division, conducted ship-to-shore operations with the new ACV-P while aboard USS Makin Island (LHD 8), Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, during Quarterly Underway Amphibious Readiness Training 26.2. The January 23, 2026, exercise off California showcased the Navy-Marine Corps team’s ability to project modernized ground combat power from the sea, according to service officials.
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A U.S. Marine Corps ACV-P Amphibious Combat Vehicle personnel carrier assigned to 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, disembarks from the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) during Quarterly Underway Amphibious Readiness Training 26.2 off the coast of California on January 23, 2026. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War)

The U.S. marine exercise operation formed part of routine amphibious training designed to maintain combat readiness and validate the integration of new armored platforms with U.S. Navy amphibious assault ships. Conducting these maneuvers at sea ensures Marines and Sailors remain proficient in the complex coordination required for modern amphibious assaults.

Quarterly Underway Amphibious Readiness Training remains a core mechanism for sustaining interoperability between the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. These exercises reinforce command relationships, communications, and tactical procedures essential for projecting force from the maritime domain.

The Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) is the U.S. Marine Corps’ next-generation armored amphibious platform, developed to replace the legacy Assault Amphibious Vehicle AAV-7A1, which had been in service since the early 1970s. The AAV, while proven in combat, faced limitations in survivability, reliability, and protection against modern battlefield threats, prompting the Marine Corps to pursue a more capable and survivable replacement.

The ACV was developed under the Amphibious Combat Vehicle program and is based on a modern 8x8 wheeled armored vehicle design. Its wheeled configuration provides better mobility on land while reducing maintenance requirements compared to the tracked AAV. The ACV also delivers improved speed, range, and maneuverability at sea and is engineered to self-deploy from amphibious ships, operate in open-ocean conditions, and transition efficiently to sustained ground operations once ashore.

In terms of protection, the ACV incorporates advanced armor solutions designed to defeat small arms fire, artillery fragments, and underbody blast threats. Its survivability is significantly enhanced compared to the AAV through improved mine-resistant features, energy-absorbing seating, and modern situational awareness systems that increase crew and troop safety in contested environments.

The ACV is powered by a high-performance diesel engine and features an independent suspension system optimized for cross-country mobility. Its water propulsion system allows it to maneuver effectively in surf and shallow waters, supporting ship-to-shore movement without the immediate need for landing craft. The vehicle is also equipped with modern command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence connectivity to operate within networked Marine Air-Ground Task Force formations.

Several variants of the Amphibious Combat Vehicle are currently in service or entering service with the U.S. Marine Corps. The ACV-Personnel variant is designed to transport infantry squads and serves as the primary troop carrier. The ACV-Command variant provides enhanced communications and battle management capabilities to support tactical-level command and control. Additional variants include the ACV-Recovery and ACV-30, the latter equipped with a stabilized 30mm cannon to provide direct fire support during amphibious and land operations.

The ACV-P personnel carrier variant serves as the primary troop transport version of the Amphibious Combat Vehicle family and forms the backbone of Marine Corps amphibious assault formations. Designed to carry a three-person crew and up to 13 embarked Marines, the ACV-P provides protected mobility from ship to shore and onward into inland objectives. It is optimized for infantry transport, featuring enhanced ballistic and blast protection, energy-attenuating seating, and advanced situational awareness systems. The vehicle is equipped with a remotely operated weapon station typically armed with either a 12.7mm heavy machine gun or a 40mm automatic grenade launcher, enabling the ACV-P to deliver suppressive fire while maneuvering during amphibious landings and subsequent ground combat operations.

The Amphibious Combat Vehicle achieved Initial Operational Capability with the U.S. Marine Corps in the early 2020s and has since been progressively fielded to assault amphibious battalions across the force. Its continued integration reflects the Marine Corps’ broader modernization and Force Design efforts to improve survivability, lethality, and expeditionary mobility.

USS Makin Island plays a critical role in enabling these operations. As a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, it provides a well deck for launching amphibious vehicles and landing craft, as well as a flight deck for helicopters and short-takeoff and vertical-landing aircraft. This combination allows the ship to deploy Marine forces using both surface and vertical assault methods.

For the U.S. Marine Corps, Wasp-class amphibious assault ships remain essential to amphibious landing operations. They allow Marines to remain forward deployed at sea, reduce dependence on host-nation infrastructure, and provide commanders with flexible response options during a crisis or conflict. The ability to launch ACVs directly from the ship’s well deck enhances the speed and protection of initial assault waves.

Strategically, exercises such as QUART 26.2 demonstrate how new platforms, such as the Amphibious Combat Vehicle, are being integrated into existing naval force structures. They validate the Marine Corps’ ability to conduct contested ship-to-shore operations, a capability that remains central to U.S. power projection and deterrence.

The successful use of the Amphibious Combat Vehicle aboard USS Makin Island underscores the Marine Corps’ transition from legacy systems to modern, survivable platforms. By combining advanced amphibious vehicles with versatile assault ships, the Navy-Marine Corps team preserves a decisive advantage in expeditionary warfare and global crisis response.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.