The Marine Corps’ Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV)
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Updated March 19, 2024
The Marine Corps’ Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV)
Background
The Marine Corps describes the Amphibious Combat
Figure 2. Amphibious Combat Vehicle Ashore
Vehicle (ACV) as
The Corps’ next-generation vehicle designed to
move Marines from ship to shore (Figure 1).
Designed to replace the Corps’ aging Amphibious
Assault Vehicle (AAV), which has been in service
since 1972, the ACV will be the primary means of
tactical mobility for the Marine infantry battalion at
sea and ashore (Figure 2). The ACV will have the
capability to provide organic, direct fire support to
Source: https://www.baesystems.com/en-us/multimedia/amphibious-
dismounted infantry in the attack.
combat-vehicle-1-1—acv-1-1-, accessed February 3, 2021.
There are currently four ACV variants planned: (1) a
Current Program Status
Personnel Variant (ACV-P), which can carry three
crewmembers with 13 Marines and two days of combat
In June 2018, the ACV entered Low-Rate Initial Production
equipment and supplies; (2) a Command and Control
(LRIP) with BAE Systems selected for the first 30 vehicles
to be delivered in fall 2019. In November 2020, the ACV
Variant (ACV-C); (3) a Recovery Variant (AC-R); and (4)
a 30-mm Gun Variant (ACV-30). The Marines intend for
achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC). In December
the ACV to provide effective land and tactical water
2020, a Full-Rate Production (FRP) decision was reportedly
made by the Marine Corps after having been delayed from
mobility (ship-to-shore and shore-to-shore), precise
supporting fires, and high levels of force protection
September 2020 due to issues related to Coronavirus
intended to protect against blasts, fragmentation, and
Disease 2019. The current planned acquisition objective of
kinetic energy threats.
632 ACVs would replace AAVs in Assault Amphibian
Battalions. The previous acquisition objective of 1,122
The ACV program delivered initial ACV-P variants in
ACVs was reduced in accordance with Marine Corps Force
Design 2030 modernization efforts (see CRS Insight
November 2020 and delivered initial ACV-C variants in
FY2022. Plans call for delivery of Improved Lethality
IN11281, New U.S. Marine Corps Force Design Initiative:
Force Design 2030, by Andrew Feickert).
30-mm Gun Variant ACVs in FY2025 and Recovery
Variants in FY2026.
Full-Rate Production Contract
Figure 1. Amphibious Combat Vehicle in
On March 6, 2023, BAE reported it had received its third
Ship-to-Shore Mode
full-rate production ACV contract for $256.8 million.
Under this contract, BAE will produce both ACV-P and
ACV-C variants. BAE reports ACV production and support
is taking place at BAE locations in Stafford, VA; Jose, CA;
Sterling Heights, MI; Aiken, SC; and York, PA.
ACV-30 Variant Delivered
Reportedly, BAE delivered its ACV-30 variant to the
Marines in February 2024 for government testing. The
ACV-30 is to be equipped with a stabilized, medium-
caliber, remote-controlled turret system produced by the
Norwegian company Kongsberg.
Source: https://www.baesystems.com/en-us/multimedia/amphibious-
Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) is a programmatic
combat-vehicle-11-acv-11, accessed February 3, 2021.
decision made when manufacturing development is completed
and there is an ability to produce a small-quantity set of
articles. It also establishes an initial production base and sets
the stage for a gradual increase in the production rate to
al ow for Ful -Rate Production (FRP) upon completion of
Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E).
https://crsreports.congress.gov
The Marine Corps’ Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV)
FY2025 reductions in quantities from 104 to 80 are
Full-Rate Production (FRP) is a decision made that allows
for government contracting for economic production
due to a fiscally constrained environment because
quantities fol owing stabilization of the system design and
of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, increased
validation of the production process.
inflationary pressures, and a higher than anticipated
vendor proposal for Full Rate Production Lots 5-6.
These factors result in a loss of buying power to
ACV Amphibious Operational Mishaps
procure the number of vehicles in previous budget
Reportedly, on July 19, 2022, two ACVs were involved in
submission for FY2025 and FY2026. The program
accidents while training off the coast of California during
was fully funded to procure the Approved
high surf conditions. According to the Marines, “One ACV
Acquisition Objective (AAO). However, due to 1)
tipped onto its side in the surf zone and another became
the loss of $102 million from the FRA across
disabled during the training. Marines in both ACVs
FY2025 and FY2026, 2) the effects of inflationary
conducted their immediate action drills and safely returned
increases, and 3) a much higher than anticipated
to shore.” After the incidents, the Marines suspended ACV
vendor proposal, the programs vehicle procurement
amphibious operations while an internal review was
has been reduced by a total of 48 vehicles across
conducted.
FY2025 - FY2026.
ACV Resumes Amphibious Operations
Considerations for Congress
On September 23, 2022, the Marines resumed ACV
Oversight questions Congress could consider include the
operations in the open ocean. In addition, the Marines
following:
implemented new rules for surf conditions, noting, “The
interim maximum surf conditions identified include a
ACV Amphibious Limitations?
significant breaker height of four feet, which allows the
As a result of a Marine internal review following two July
ACV to operate safely while maintaining a high-state of
2022 ACV mishaps, it appears the Marines have decided to
readiness for the ACV community.”
limit ACV amphibious operations when breaker height
FY2025 ACV Budgetary Information
exceeds four feet. Does this new guidance preclude ACV
amphibious operations in surf zone conditions where
Table 1. FY2025 Navy Budget Request—ACV
breaker height exceeds four feet, or are there supplemental
operational procedures that permit ACV operation in high
Total
surf zone conditions? If ACV amphibious operations are
Total Request
Request
restricted to four feet or less breaker height, how might this
Funding Category
($M)
(Qty.)
affect the conduct of amphibious operations during a
RDT&E
$60.2
—
conflict?
Procurement
$810.3
80
Program and Readiness Impact of Reduced FY2025
Source: Office of the Under Secretary of Defense
and FY2026 ACV Procurement
(Comptrol er)/Chief Financial Officer, Program Acquisition Cost by
Weapon System: United States Department of Defense Fiscal Year 2025
The reduction in the production of 48 ACVs over FY2025
Budget Request, March 2024, p. 3-12.
and FY2026 raises a number of issues. From a program
Notes: RDT&E = Research, Development, Test & Evaluation: $M =
perspective, will the acquisition of these 48 vehicles be
U.S. dollars in mil ions; Qty. = FY2025 procurement quantities.
made up post-FY2026, or does this represent a decrease in
overall ACV acquisition numbers? Will the reduction have
According to the Department of Defense Program FY2025
cost implications for future ACV acquisition, and how
Acquisition Cost by Weapon System, the ACV FY2025
could this affect current program costs and production
budget request is intended to
plans? In terms of readiness, will having 48 fewer ACVs in
FY2025 and FY2026 have an appreciable readiness impact
Initiate the production of 80 Improved Lethality
on Fleet Marine Forces and, if so, how do the Marines plan
30mm cannon variants (ACV-30s), procure related
to compensate for this lack of capability?
items such as Production Support, Systems
Engineering/Program
Management
(SE/PM),
Lessons Learned from the Ukraine Conflict
Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), Government
There are a number of military observations resulting from
Furnished Equipment (GFE), and Integrated
the Ukraine conflict. One observation is armored vehicles
Logistics Support (ILS).
have allegedly proven highly vulnerable to anti-tank guided
missiles (ATGMs), armed drones, and loitering munition.
Reduction in Planned FY2025 and
As ACVs are intended to “provide organic, direct fire
FY2026 ACV Procurement Quantities
support to dismounted infantry in the attack,” how
Reportedly, the Marines are reducing “procurement plans
vulnerable to these systems are ACVs during amphibious
for FY2025 and FY2026, reducing acquisition quantities by
operations and when operating ashore supporting combat
48 vehicles across the two years due to spending caps under
operations? Are the Marines considering ACV survivability
the Fiscal Responsibility Act (P.L. 118), inflation, and a
modifications based on lessons learned in Ukraine?
higher-than-expected vendor proposal.”
Andrew Feickert, Specialist in Military Ground Forces
The Navy’s FY2025 budget request notes,
IF11755
https://crsreports.congress.gov
The Marine Corps’ Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV)
Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan shared staff to
congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and under the direction of Congress.
Information in a CRS Report should not be relied upon for purposes other than public understanding of information that has
been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in connection with CRS’s institutional role. CRS Reports, as a work of the
United States Government, are not subject to copyright protection in the United States. Any CRS Report may be
reproduced and distributed in its entirety without permission from CRS. However, as a CRS Report may include
copyrighted images or material from a third party, you may need to obtain the permission of the copyright holder if you
wish to copy or otherwise use copyrighted material.
https://crsreports.congress.gov | IF11755 · VERSION 10 · UPDATED
Updated March 19, 2024
The Marine Corps’ Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV)
Background
The Marine Corps describes the Amphibious Combat
Figure 2. Amphibious Combat Vehicle Ashore
Vehicle (ACV) as
The Corps’ next-generation vehicle designed to
move Marines from ship to shore (Figure 1).
Designed to replace the Corps’ aging Amphibious
Assault Vehicle (AAV), which has been in service
since 1972, the ACV will be the primary means of
tactical mobility for the Marine infantry battalion at
sea and ashore (Figure 2). The ACV will have the
capability to provide organic, direct fire support to
Source: https://www.baesystems.com/en-us/multimedia/amphibious-
dismounted infantry in the attack.
combat-vehicle-1-1—acv-1-1-, accessed February 3, 2021.
There are currently four ACV variants planned: (1) a
Current Program Status
Personnel Variant (ACV-P), which can carry three
crewmembers with 13 Marines and two days of combat
In June 2018, the ACV entered Low-Rate Initial Production
equipment and supplies; (2) a Command and Control
(LRIP) with BAE Systems selected for the first 30 vehicles
to be delivered in fall 2019. In November 2020, the ACV
Variant (ACV-C); (3) a Recovery Variant (AC-R); and (4)
a 30-mm Gun Variant (ACV-30). The Marines intend for
achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC). In December
the ACV to provide effective land and tactical water
2020, a Full-Rate Production (FRP) decision was reportedly
made by the Marine Corps after having been delayed from
mobility (ship-to-shore and shore-to-shore), precise
supporting fires, and high levels of force protection
September 2020 due to issues related to Coronavirus
intended to protect against blasts, fragmentation, and
Disease 2019. The current planned acquisition objective of
kinetic energy threats.
632 ACVs would replace AAVs in Assault Amphibian
Battalions. The previous acquisition objective of 1,122
The ACV program delivered initial ACV-P variants in
ACVs was reduced in accordance with Marine Corps Force
Design 2030 modernization efforts (see CRS Insight
November 2020 and delivered initial ACV-C variants in
FY2022. Plans call for delivery of Improved Lethality
IN11281, New U.S. Marine Corps Force Design Initiative:
Force Design 2030, by Andrew Feickert).
30-mm Gun Variant ACVs in FY2025 and Recovery
Variants in FY2026.
Full-Rate Production Contract
Figure 1. Amphibious Combat Vehicle in
On March 6, 2023, BAE reported it had received its third
Ship-to-Shore Mode
full-rate production ACV contract for $256.8 million.
Under this contract, BAE will produce both ACV-P and
ACV-C variants. BAE reports ACV production and support
is taking place at BAE locations in Stafford, VA; Jose, CA;
Sterling Heights, MI; Aiken, SC; and York, PA.
ACV-30 Variant Delivered
Reportedly, BAE delivered its ACV-30 variant to the
Marines in February 2024 for government testing. The
ACV-30 is to be equipped with a stabilized, medium-
caliber, remote-controlled turret system produced by the
Norwegian company Kongsberg.
Source: https://www.baesystems.com/en-us/multimedia/amphibious-
Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) is a programmatic
combat-vehicle-11-acv-11, accessed February 3, 2021.
decision made when manufacturing development is completed
and there is an ability to produce a small-quantity set of
articles. It also establishes an initial production base and sets
the stage for a gradual increase in the production rate to
al ow for Ful -Rate Production (FRP) upon completion of
Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E).
https://crsreports.congress.gov
The Marine Corps’ Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV)
FY2025 reductions in quantities from 104 to 80 are
Full-Rate Production (FRP) is a decision made that allows
for government contracting for economic production
due to a fiscally constrained environment because
quantities fol owing stabilization of the system design and
of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, increased
validation of the production process.
inflationary pressures, and a higher than anticipated
vendor proposal for Full Rate Production Lots 5-6.
These factors result in a loss of buying power to
ACV Amphibious Operational Mishaps
procure the number of vehicles in previous budget
Reportedly, on July 19, 2022, two ACVs were involved in
submission for FY2025 and FY2026. The program
accidents while training off the coast of California during
was fully funded to procure the Approved
high surf conditions. According to the Marines, “One ACV
Acquisition Objective (AAO). However, due to 1)
tipped onto its side in the surf zone and another became
the loss of $102 million from the FRA across
disabled during the training. Marines in both ACVs
FY2025 and FY2026, 2) the effects of inflationary
conducted their immediate action drills and safely returned
increases, and 3) a much higher than anticipated
to shore.” After the incidents, the Marines suspended ACV
vendor proposal, the programs vehicle procurement
amphibious operations while an internal review was
has been reduced by a total of 48 vehicles across
conducted.
FY2025 - FY2026.
ACV Resumes Amphibious Operations
Considerations for Congress
On September 23, 2022, the Marines resumed ACV
Oversight questions Congress could consider include the
operations in the open ocean. In addition, the Marines
following:
implemented new rules for surf conditions, noting, “The
interim maximum surf conditions identified include a
ACV Amphibious Limitations?
significant breaker height of four feet, which allows the
As a result of a Marine internal review following two July
ACV to operate safely while maintaining a high-state of
2022 ACV mishaps, it appears the Marines have decided to
readiness for the ACV community.”
limit ACV amphibious operations when breaker height
FY2025 ACV Budgetary Information
exceeds four feet. Does this new guidance preclude ACV
amphibious operations in surf zone conditions where
Table 1. FY2025 Navy Budget Request—ACV
breaker height exceeds four feet, or are there supplemental
operational procedures that permit ACV operation in high
Total
surf zone conditions? If ACV amphibious operations are
Total Request
Request
restricted to four feet or less breaker height, how might this
Funding Category
($M)
(Qty.)
affect the conduct of amphibious operations during a
RDT&E
$60.2
—
conflict?
Procurement
$810.3
80
Program and Readiness Impact of Reduced FY2025
Source: Office of the Under Secretary of Defense
and FY2026 ACV Procurement
(Comptrol er)/Chief Financial Officer, Program Acquisition Cost by
Weapon System: United States Department of Defense Fiscal Year 2025
The reduction in the production of 48 ACVs over FY2025
Budget Request, March 2024, p. 3-12.
and FY2026 raises a number of issues. From a program
Notes: RDT&E = Research, Development, Test & Evaluation: $M =
perspective, will the acquisition of these 48 vehicles be
U.S. dollars in mil ions; Qty. = FY2025 procurement quantities.
made up post-FY2026, or does this represent a decrease in
overall ACV acquisition numbers? Will the reduction have
According to the Department of Defense Program FY2025
cost implications for future ACV acquisition, and how
Acquisition Cost by Weapon System, the ACV FY2025
could this affect current program costs and production
budget request is intended to
plans? In terms of readiness, will having 48 fewer ACVs in
FY2025 and FY2026 have an appreciable readiness impact
Initiate the production of 80 Improved Lethality
on Fleet Marine Forces and, if so, how do the Marines plan
30mm cannon variants (ACV-30s), procure related
to compensate for this lack of capability?
items such as Production Support, Systems
Engineering/Program
Management
(SE/PM),
Lessons Learned from the Ukraine Conflict
Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), Government
There are a number of military observations resulting from
Furnished Equipment (GFE), and Integrated
the Ukraine conflict. One observation is armored vehicles
Logistics Support (ILS).
have allegedly proven highly vulnerable to anti-tank guided
missiles (ATGMs), armed drones, and loitering munition.
Reduction in Planned FY2025 and
As ACVs are intended to “provide organic, direct fire
FY2026 ACV Procurement Quantities
support to dismounted infantry in the attack,” how
Reportedly, the Marines are reducing “procurement plans
vulnerable to these systems are ACVs during amphibious
for FY2025 and FY2026, reducing acquisition quantities by
operations and when operating ashore supporting combat
48 vehicles across the two years due to spending caps under
operations? Are the Marines considering ACV survivability
the Fiscal Responsibility Act (P.L. 118), inflation, and a
modifications based on lessons learned in Ukraine?
higher-than-expected vendor proposal.”
Andrew Feickert, Specialist in Military Ground Forces
The Navy’s FY2025 budget request notes,
IF11755
https://crsreports.congress.gov
The Marine Corps’ Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV)
Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan shared staff to
congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and under the direction of Congress.
Information in a CRS Report should not be relied upon for purposes other than public understanding of information that has
been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in connection with CRS’s institutional role. CRS Reports, as a work of the
United States Government, are not subject to copyright protection in the United States. Any CRS Report may be
reproduced and distributed in its entirety without permission from CRS. However, as a CRS Report may include
copyrighted images or material from a third party, you may need to obtain the permission of the copyright holder if you
wish to copy or otherwise use copyrighted material.
https://crsreports.congress.gov | IF11755 · VERSION 10 · UPDATED