ACV deals emerge unscathed from Force Design 2030

via Shepard Media.

The USMC Force Design 2030 blueprint, which intends to reduce the number of amphibious vehicle companies from six to four, does not affect agreements with BAE Systems to procure Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACVs).

BAE Systems is continuing to execute ACV low-rate production. ‘At this time, our contracts are still tracking with existing programme plans,’ a company spokesperson claimed.

In 2015, BAE Systems was awarded one of two engineering, manufacturing and development contracts, worth $103.77 million, to produce 16 ACV prototypes with Iveco Defence Vehicles. All were handed over to the USMC the following year.

In 2018, the company received a contract to manufacture the new generation of ACVs. The $198 million deal allowed BAE Systems to build 30 low-rate production vehicles. At the time, the USMC classified the procurement as a ‘much-needed modernisation to the marine corps’ ground combat element'.

BAE Systems subsequently received orders for additional platforms. The most recent contract was announced in February 2020; this $113.5 million deal to provide 26 vehicles brought the total number of ACVs ordered to 116.

‘We remain committed to our objective of providing the best possible Amphibious Combat Vehicles to the United States Marine Corps, and those plans have not changed,’ the BAE Systems spokesperson told Shephard.

The ACV is an 8x8 platform that was designed to deploy USMC combat personnel from ship to shore. It provides an open-ocean amphibious capability, as well as land mobility, survivability and payload capacity.

The vehicle is a highly mobile and adaptable platform and brings enhanced combat power to the battlefield, according to BAE Systems. It is equipped with a 690hp engine, has a range of more than 520km on land before refueling and can travel faster than 105km/h.

Up to 13 marines and three crew can be carried in the ACV with internal storage capacity for all their equipment and two days of supplies. The ACV also features a blast-resistant hull and shock-absorbing seats.

The ACVs are replacing the Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV) fleet that has been in service for more than 40 years with the USMC. 

Here 

Well this is a pleasant surprise but I won't relax just yet.  Berger is a force. Dude will set course and apparently will have to take a ton of frontals before he alters his gameplan.

If he wakes up tomorrow with a burr up his nether regions this could change.

Having said that I'm hopeful (but hope ain't a plan is it?) that they'll push this thru.  God knows we're buying so few of them that it should be a no brainer.

So if this is going forward what next?  What next is to mate the ACV with the EOS T2000.  What do we get with that?  We get a low profile RWS turret sporting a 30mm cannon, a couple of anti-tank missiles...we get an EXTREMELY accurate system which meshes nicely with the Marine Corps one shot one kill ethos!

If I was advising Berger I'd tell him.  Ok Sir, don't agree with getting rid of tanks but if I can't talk you off that ledge can we at least get some organic, ground based mechanized tank killing capability with this turret?