BAE Systems was awarded a $198 million contract by the U.S. Marine Corp to deliver 30 Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACV).
The contract also includes an option for a total of 204 vehicles which could be worth up to $1.2 billion.
“We are well positioned and ready to build the future of amphibious fighting vehicles for the Marine Corps, having already produced 16 prototypes,” Dean Medland, vice president and general manager of Combat Vehicles Amphibious and International at BAE Systems, said. “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.”
The ACV is an all terrains, ocean-capable vehicle equipped with a new 6-cylinder, 700HP engine. It is significantly more powerful than the Assault Amphibious Vehicle, which is currently in service and has been in operation for decades. The ACV can also be adapted to accommodate future technologies or requirements.
The BAE Systems team delivered 16 prototypes to the Marines in 2017 to test their land mobility, survivability, swim capabilities, and overall performance.
Work on the contract will be done at the company’s facilities in Aiken, S.C.; Sterling Heights, Mich.; Minneapolis, Minn.; Stafford, Va.; San Jose, Calif.; and York, Pa.
BAE Systems has provided amphibious vehicle capabilities for 70 years.