Updated March 23, 2023
Marine Corps Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV)
What Is the Advanced Reconnaissance
Vehicle (ARV)?
Program Status
The Marines plan for a number of ARV variants—referred
According to the Marine Corps, the Advanced
to as a “family of vehicles.” The first variant is the
Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) is planned to be a new
Command, Control, Communications and
armored vehicle family to replace the Light Armored
Computers/Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C4/UAS) version.
Vehicle (LAV):
Reportedly, on July 16, 2021, the Marines selected Textron
Since the 1980s, the Light Armored Vehicle (LAV)
Systems and General Dynamics Land Systems to build
has supported Marine Air-Ground Task Force
ARV prototypes with prototype delivery expected in the
missions on the battlefield. While the LAV remains
first quarter of FY2023 with evaluation of the prototypes
operationally effective, the life cycle of this system
concluding in the third quarter FY2023. Textron reportedly
is set to expire in the mid-2030s…. The Advanced
delivered its ARV prototypes, known as the
“Cottonmouth
Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) will be highly
,” to the Marine Corps’ Nevada Automotive
mobile, networked, transportable, protected, and
Test Center on December 1, 2022. General Dynamics
reportedly delivered its ARV prototypes to the Marines on
lethal. The capability will provide, sensors,
December 23, 2022. The delivery of these two prototypes
communication systems and lethality options to
marked the beginning of the formal government evaluation
overmatch threats that have historically been
process.
addressed with more heavily armored systems.
ARV Desired Operational Capabilities
ARV Prototype Evaluation
A Marine Corps May 2019 briefing describes some of the
In February 2023, the Marine Corps reportedly began
ARV’s desired operational capabilities:
evaluation of three ARV prototypes. In addition to Textron
and General Dynamics prototypes, BAE systems—the
an automatic medium-caliber cannon;
Amphibious Combat Vehicle’s (ACV) manufacturer—
anti-armor capability to defeat close-in heavy armor
provided a third prototype (based on a modified ACV) for
threats;
evaluation. The prototype evaluation reportedly is to focus
on the ARV’s ability to navigate “mission
-representative
precision-guided munitions (PGMs) to defeat threats
terrain” in addition to its C4 and UAS capabilities. The
beyond the engagement range of threat systems;
evaluation reportedly is to conclude in the third quarter
unmanned systems swarm capability to provide
FY2023 and then be followed by a “multi domain
reconnaissance decision” at an
persistent, multifunction munitions;
unspecified future date.
advanced, networked, multifunctional electronic warfare Figure 1. Textron Cottonmouth ARV Prototype
(EW) capabilities;
a modern command-and-control suite and a full range of
sensors;
organic unmanned aerial and ground systems
(UAS/UGS) that can be deployed from the ARV;
active and passive vehicle protection; and
robust cross-country/on-road mobility performance with
shore-to-shore water mobility.
ARV in Marine Corps Force Structure
The ARV was originally intended to be the primary combat
system in Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR)
Battalions. The mission of the LAR Battalion is to conduct
mounted and dismounted reconnaissance, surveillance, and
Source: Defense Daily, “GD Submits Prototype Proposal For Marine
security operations. LAR Battalions are also expected to
Corps ARV, SAIC Is Out,” May 6, 2021.
conduct offensive and defensive missions and conduct
deception operations and raids to create decisive conditions
for the Marine Division and the supported unit commander.
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Marine Corps Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV)
Figure 2. General Dynamics ARV Prototype
In the Marine’s May 2022 force design update to the
Secretary of Defense, the Commandant directed the
Marines to:
Review and validate all assumptions regarding
programmed or potential future capabilities, such as
the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV)-30 and
Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) (see
page 9).
These three statements arguably raise questions regarding
the future of the ARV program, seemingly implying the
ARV might not be the best solution for the Marines’
reconnaissance needs. Another annual update is expected in
Source: Seapower, “General Dynamics Land Systems Delivers
May 2023 and might provide additional insight on the
ARV’s future.
Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle Prototype to U.S. Marine Corps,”
January 5, 2023.
FY2024 ARV Budgetary Information
The ARV and the Marine Corps 2030
Force Design Initiative
Table 1. FY2024 ARV Budget Request
In March 2020, the Marines undertook a major force design
Total
initiative planned to occur over the next 10 years. The
Total Request
Request
Marine Corps intends to redesign the force for naval
Funding Category
($M)
(Qty.)
expeditionary warfare and to better align itself with the
RDT&E
$63.585
—
National Defense Strategy. In February 2021, the Marines
updated the Secretary of Defense on the progress on force
Source: United States Department of Defense Fiscal Year 2024
design initiatives. The March 2020 force design initiative
Budget Request, Navy Justification Book, Volume 2 of 5, Research,
plan raises questions that some have about the role or even
Development, Test & Evaluation, March 2023, p. 657.
the desirability of the ARV in future force design.
Considerations for Congress
According to the Commandant of the Marine Corps,
General David Berger:
Oversight questions Congress could consider include the
following:
While I have repeatedly stated that all-domain
reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance will be
In view of the Commandant’s statements in 2020, 2021,
a critical element of any future contingency, I
and 2022 regarding the need for the ARV, what is the
remain unconvinced that additional wheeled,
Marine Corps’ current official position on the
manned armored ground reconnaissance units are
operational requirement to procure the ARV?
the best and only answer – especially in the Indo-
If the requirement for the service’s LAR companies and
Pacific region. We need to see more evidence
the ARV “must be re-evaluated,” as stated in the
during Phase III to support this conclusion before
February 2021 update, what are the Marines’ plans to
engaging in an expansion of our existing capacity,
reevaluate this requirement? If there is to be a
or committing billions of dollars in procurement
reevaluation, when will the results be communicated to
funds towards the acquisition of an Advanced
Congress?
Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) (see page 10).
In the Marine’s February 2021
For additional information on the Marine Corps 2030 Force
force design update to the
Design Initiative, see CRS Insight IN11281, New U.S. Marine
Secretary of Defense, the Commandant further noted:
Corps Force Design Initiatives, by Andrew Feickert.
The 12 Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR)
For additional information on the Marine’s Amphibious Combat
Companies identified in the initial Force Design
Vehicle (ACV), see CRS Report R42723, Marine Corps
Report must be re-evaluated in light of the emerging
Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV): Background and Issues for
concept of multi-domain mobile reconnaissance.
Congress, by Andrew Feickert.
This may affect the overall requirement for armored
land mobility in the form of the Advanced
Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) (see pages 5-6).
Andrew Feickert, Specialist in Military Ground Forces
IF11831
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Marine Corps Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV)
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https://crsreports.congress.gov | IF11831 · VERSION 10 · UPDATED