Mar 18, 2016 00:20 UTC by Defense Industry Daily staff

The USMC is to receive upgrades to their Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAV) as their replacement, the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV), will not be operational until the 2020s. 392 AAV7A1s are to receive an extensive survivability upgrade in a $194 million contract. The USMC has found that AAVs have been vulnerable to improvised explosive devices (IED) and other weapons when operating in Iraq and elsewhere. Improvements to be made include flat-sided buoyant ceramic armor panels, new shock-mitigation seats, replacing benches in older AAVs, and a new transmission, increasing the vehicle’s top speed.

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US Marine Corps Upgraded Amphib Vehicle

Updraged AAV by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) bizjournals.com

The AAV7 is a tracked amphibious armored personnel carrier, used by the US Marine Corps since 1971. This vehicle is launched at sea from amphibious assault ships and is used to land troops on open beaches. It was planned that by 2010 the AAV7 will be replaced in a USMC service by a next-generation Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle. However this new vehicle was not adopted due the funding problems. The US Marines still use their ageing fleet of AAV7s. In 2006 wars in Iraq and Afghanistan revealed that the AAV7s were vulnerable to improvised explosive devices due to their poorly protected hull floor. Eventually the AAV7s were pulled from the battlefield.

In 2016 a Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) revealed an upgrade of the AAV7. It is called the AAV7 Survivability Upgrade (SU). The refurbished vehicle has improved protection. The AAV7 SU has an add-on ceramic armor kit on top of its aluminum armor hull for improved protection. It is claimed that this kit provides protection against anti-tank rockets. Interior is lined with spall liner. Troops are seated on mine protected seats. It is planned that refurbished and upgraded AAV7s will be operational until 2035.

The AAV7 SU has a crew of 3, including commander, gunner and driver, and can carry 21 marines. Though the original AAV7 can carry 25 marines. Alternatively around 4.5 t of supplies can be carried in place of the passengers. Marines enter and leave the vehicle via a large rear ramp with integral doors.

The AAV7 SU has a small turret, armed with a 12.7 mm machine gun and 40 mm automatic grenade launcher.

The AAV7 SU has a new Cummins turbocharged diesel engine with increased power. Engine is located at the front of the hull. Suspension components have been improved. This armored personnel carrier is fitted with new waterjets, that improved mobility on water. Alternatively this vehicle can move on water by spinning its tracks. This armored personnel carrier has a seaworthiness up to Sea State 3.

Country of origin	United States
Entered service	?
Crew	3 men
Personnel	21 men
*Dimensions and weight*
Weight	~ 25 t
Length	~ 8.2 m
Width	~ 3.3 m
Height	~ 3.3 m
*Armament*
Machine gun	1 x 12.7 mm
Grenade launcher	1 x 40 mm
*Ammunition load*
Machine gun	1 000 x 12.7 mm
Grenade launcher	?
*Mobility*
Engine	Cummins diesel
Engine power	?
Maximum road speed	~ 72 km/h
Amphibious speed on water	~ 15 km/h
Range	~ 500 km
*Maneuverability*
Gradient	60%
Side slope	40%
Vertical step	0.9 m
Trench	2.4 m
Fording	Amphibious

Source military-today.com

VT 903 engine

VT 903 engine that boosts horsepower from 525 to 675

The SU includes a rebuilt VT 903 engine that boosts horsepower from 525 to 675, along with a new transmission. The SUs are expected to go faster than the current AAV’s 42 miles per hour — how fast, Rivera said, will be determined in tests. The revamped troop compartment is also able to store more provisions — three days of supply for the three-person crew and embarked Marines, compared with one day on existing vehicles.” Source defensenews.com

Main photo @SAIC – Science Applications International Corporation