US teams with Japan on advanced amphibious vehicle...

via Shepard Media.

The Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency announced on 13 May that the Japanese MoD and US DoD had signed an agreement to jointly research next-generation amphibious technology.

In this project, Japan and the US will examine the feasibility of amphibious technology using a simulator based on a digital model of an amphibious vehicle.

Japan has been developing a domestic amphibious vehicle since 2016, and it is thought the Mitsubishi Amphibious Vehicle (MAV) will provide the base technology for this development.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries developed the MAV with its own budget. Mitsubishi has also been developing its 12MB engine that generates up to 3,000hp. The 12MB is designed to be just one-seventh the size of similar existing engines.

The MAV will also adopt integrated hydropneumatic suspension, which will place the tracks closer to the hull and thus reduce water resistance. The MAV aims to achieve a maximum speed of 35-46km/h in water.

Story here. 

I'm a pic collector.  A big time armored vehicle pic collector in particular.  Because of that hobby and an interest in amphibious operations I'm aware of one thing that many have forgotten.

The Japanese were probably at the forefront of amphibious vehicle design during WW2.

The Pacific is thought of as an "all infantry" affair (with regard to land warfare) but in several campaigns/battles, armored vehicles played an important role for all forces involved.

So what does all that have to do with the story above?

Just because they "haven't" developed amphibious armored vehicles lately doesn't mean that they can't build a world winning design.

The idea of the US DoD teaming with the Japanese could be seen as a huge slap in the face of our domestic corporations but I don't think so.  The specs of the vehicle they're attempting to build EASILY rival the EFV that failed years ago.

If they can make it work then we should be right there with them.

I consider this smart.

For better or worse, amphibious vehicle development has lagged.  Squaring the circle on this is hard.  If the Japanese succeed then we're partnered and good to go.  If they don't then we have the ACV.

It's a win win.