Updated March 20, 2024
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
“C
Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) will be highly
ottonmouth,” to the Marine Corps’ Nevada Automotive
Test Center on December 1, 2022. General Dynamics
mobile, networked, transportable, protected, and
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
In February 2023, the Marine Corps reportedly began
A Marine Corps May 2019 briefing describes some of the
ARV’s desired
evaluation of three ARV prototypes. In addition to Textron
operational capabilities as
and General Dynamics prototypes, BAE systems—the
• an automatic medium-caliber cannon;
Amphibious Combat Vehicle’s (ACV) manufacturer—
•
provided a third prototype (based on a modified ACV) for
anti-armor capability to defeat close-in heavy armor
evaluation. The prototype evaluation reportedly was to
threats;
focus on the ARV’s ability to navigate “mission-
• precision-guided munitions (PGMs) to defeat threats
representative terrain” in addition to its C4 and UAS
beyond the engagement range of threat systems;
capabilities.
• unmanned systems swarm capability to provide
ARV Prototype Contracts Awarded
persistent, multifunction munitions;
On March 6, 2024, the Marines selected General Dynamics
•
and Textron to design, develop, and manufacture an
advanced, networked, multifunctional electronic warfare
Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle 30 mm Autocannon
(EW) capabilities;
(ARV-30) prototype vehicle. Reportedly, the prototypes are
• a modern command-and-control suite and a full range of to be delivered in FY2025 and procurement is planned to
sensors;
begin in FY2028.
• organic unmanned aerial and ground systems
Figure 1. Textron Cottonmouth ARV Prototype
(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
security operations. LAR Battalions are also expected to
conduct offensive and defensive missions and conduct
deception operations and raids to create decisive conditions
for the Marine Division and the supported unit commander.

Source: Defense Daily, “GD Submits Prototype Proposal for Marine
Corps ARV, SAIC Is Out,” May 6, 2021.
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Marine Corps Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV)
Figure 2. General Dynamics ARV Prototype
[r]eview 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).
While the Marines’ program plans call for the procurement
of the ARV in FY2028, these past 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. The June 2023
Force Design Annual Update does not reference the ARV,
potentially raising further questions about the Marines’
long-term commitment to the ARV program.
Source: Seapower, “General Dynamics Land Systems Delivers
Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle Prototype to U.S. Marine Corps,”
FY2025 ARV Budgetary Information
January 5, 2023.
Table 1. FY2025 ARV Budget Request
The ARV and the Marine Corps Force
Design Initiative
Total
Total Request
Request
In March 2020, the Marines undertook a major force design
Funding Category
($M)
(Qty.)
initiative planned to occur over the next 10 years. The
RDT&E
$63.736
—
Marine Corps intends to redesign the force for naval
expeditionary warfare and to better align itself with the
Source: United States Department of Defense Fiscal Year 2025
National Defense Strategy. In February 2021, the Marines
Budget Request, Navy Justification Book, Volume 2 of 5, Research,
updated the Secretary of Defense on the progress on force
Development, Test & Evaluation, March 2024, p. 623.
design initiatives. The March 2020 force design initiative
Considerations for Congress
plan raises questions that some have about the role or even
Oversight questions Congress could consider include the
the desirability of the ARV in future force design.
following:
According to then-Commandant of the Marine Corps,
General David Berger,
• In view of the Commandant’s statements in 2020, 2021,
and 2022, and lack of a reference to the ARV in the
While I have repeatedly stated that all-domain
2023 update, what is the Marine Corps’ current official
reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance will be
position on the operational requirement to procure the
a critical element of any future contingency, I
ARV?
remain unconvinced that additional wheeled,
•
manned armored ground reconnaissance units are
If the requirement for the service’s LAR companies and
the best and only answer – especially in the Indo-
the ARV “must be re-evaluated,” as stated in the
Pacific region. We need to see more evidence
February 2021 update, what are the Marines’ plans to
reevaluate this requirement? Has the reevaluation been
during Phase III to support this conclusion before
accomplished and, if so, when will the results be
engaging in an expansion of our existing capacity,
communicated to Congress?
or committing billions of dollars in procurement
funds towards the acquisition of an Advanced
For additional information on the Marine Corps Force Design
Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) (see page 10).
Initiative, see CRS Report R47614, U.S. Marine Corps Force
In the Marines’ February 2021 Force Design Update to the
Design 2030 Initiative: Background and Issues for Congress, by
Secretary of Defense, the Commandant further noted,
Andrew Feickert.
For additional information on the Marine’s Amphibious Combat
The 12 Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR)
Vehicle (ACV), see CRS In Focus IF11755, The Marine Corps’
Companies identified in the initial Force Design
Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV), by Andrew Feickert.
Report must be re-evaluated in light of the emerging

concept of multi-domain mobile reconnaissance.
This may affect the overall requirement for armored
land mobility in the form of the Advanced
Andrew Feickert, Specialist in Military Ground Forces
Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) (see pages 5-6).
IF11831
In the Marines’ May 2022 Force Design Update to the
Secretary of Defense, the Commandant directed the
Marines to


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Marine Corps Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV)


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https://crsreports.congress.gov | IF11831 · VERSION 12 · UPDATED

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