The U.S. Marine Corps awarded BAE Systems and Iveco Defence Vehicles a $198 million contract to deliver an initial 30 amphibious combat vehicles (ACV), which are designed to get the Marines from ship to shore to engage in land combat operations, with options for a total of 204 vehicles.

The CNH Industrial subsidiary Iveco Defence Vehicles will provide the the 8x8 amphibious-armored platform design, core components and services for the ACV 1.1 program.

The BAE Systems-Iveco Defence Vehicles team was selected by the Marine Corps through robust competition for the next generation of vehicles to get the Marines from ship to shore to engage in land combat operations.

The new vehicle is an advanced 8x8 open ocean-capable vehicle that is equipped with a new 6-cylinder, 700-hp (522-kw) engine, which BAE Systems claims provides a significant power increase over the Assault Amphibious Vehicle that is currently in service and has been in operation for decades. The ACV is also adaptable to accommodate growth for future technologies or requirements.

The vehicle delivers best-in-class mobility in all terrain and has a suspended interior seat structure for 13 embarked Marines, blast-mitigating positions for a crew of three, and improved survivability and force protection over currently fielded systems.

The BAE Systems-Iveco Defence Vehicles team conducted its own extensive risk mitigation testing and evaluation for land mobility, survivability, and swim capabilities that proved its vehicle’s performance prior to delivering the first 16 prototypes to the Marine Corps in 2017.

“We are well positioned and ready to build the future of amphibious fighting vehicles for the Marine Corps, having already produced 16 prototypes,” said Dean Medland, VP and general manager of combat vehicles amphibious and international at BAE Systems. “Through this award, we are proud to continue our partnership with the Marine Corps by providing a best-in-class vehicle to support its mission through mobility, survivability and lethality.”

According to Vincenzo Giannelli, president and CEO of Iveco Defence Vehicles, “This award represents a milestone in the transformation of Iveco Defence Vehicles into a global player. Through our partnership with BAE Systems on this program, our know-how and technical excellence have been recognized and are placed at the service of the U.S. Marine Corps. We now have the privilege of contributing to building the future of its amphibious combat vehicles.”

Work on the ACV will be performed at facilities in Aiken, S.C.; Sterling Heights, Mich.; Minneapolis; Stafford; San Jose, Calif.; and York, Pa.
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