BAE Systems awarded additional $184M for Marines amphibious vehicle

Combat vehicles designed to transport Marines from naval ships to shore

Published February 12, 2021 by Rich Griset

ACVs are designed to transport Marines from naval ships to shore and achieved initial operational capability status in November 2020.

Arlington-based defense contractor BAE Systems has received a $184 million order from the U.S. Marine Corps for more Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACV) under a contract option.

In December, BAE Systems received approval to begin full-rate production of ACVs and received a $184 million contract modification to produce an initial 36 vehicles for the service branch’s ship-to-shore operations.

This option on the contract increases the total number of vehicles to 72 at a total value of $366 million.

“The exercising of this option validates years of teamwork in partnership with the Marines to provide the most adaptable amphibious vehicle possible to meet their expeditionary needs,” said John Swift, director of amphibious programs at BAE Systems, in a statement. “The ACV was designed to meet the Marines’ needs of today while allowing for growth to meet future mission role requirements.”

BAE Systems describes ACV as “a highly mobile, survivable, and adaptable platform for conducting rapid ship-to-shore operations and brings enhanced combat power to the battlefield.” The company is under contract to deliver two variants to the Marine Corps.

Along with Italy’s Iveco Defence Vehicles, BAE was selected for the ACV program in 2018 to replace the Marines’ legacy fleet of Assault Amphibious Vehicles (AAV), which were also built by BAE. The Arlington defense contractor was also recently awarded an indefinite delivery quantity (IDIQ) contract worth up to $77 million for the ACV program, which includes the provision of spare and replacement parts, testing equipment, and other services.

ACV production and support is taking place at BAE Systems locations in Stafford, Virginia; San Jose, California; Sterling Heights, Michigan; Aiken, South Carolina; and York, Pennsylvania.