Assault Amphibious Vehicle

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The Assault Amphibious Vehicle<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> (AAV)—official designation AAVP-7A1 (formerly known as Landing Vehicle, Tracked, Personnel-7 abbr. LVTP-7)—is a fully tracked amphibious landing vehicle manufactured by BAE Systems Platforms & Services (previously by United Defense, a former division of FMC Corporation).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The AAV-P7/A1 is the current amphibious troop transport of the United States Marine Corps. It is used by U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Assault Battalions to land the surface assault elements of the landing force and their equipment in a single lift from assault shipping during amphibious operations to inland objectives and to conduct mechanized operations and related combat support in subsequent mechanized operations ashore. It is also operated by other forces. Marines call them "amtracs", a shortening of their original designation, "amphibious tractor".

In June 2018, the Marine Corps announced they had selected the BAE Systems/Iveco wheeled SuperAV for the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) program to supplement and ultimately replace the AAV.

History

Development

File:AAV-australia.jpg
A pair of U.S. Marine Corps Assault Amphibious Vehicles emerge from the surf onto the sand of Freshwater Beach, Australia. The one on the left has an applique armor kit installed, the one on the right does not.

The U.S. Marine Corps became interested in replacing the LVTP-5 due to its limited range, slow water speed and the difficulty of maintaining the aging platform. In 1964, the Marine Corps solicited proposals to replace meet its requirement. The Marine Corps selected a proposal by FMC. FMC delivered the first of 15 prototypes, designated LVTPX12, in October 1967. Marine Corps testing concluded in September 1969. In June 1970, the Marine Corps awarded FMC a $78.5 million contract for the production of 942 vehicles.<ref name="Hunnicutt" >Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Foss1979" >Template:Cite book</ref>

The first production models were delivered in August 1971 and the first units became operational in March 1972.<ref name="Foss1979" /> In 1977, FMC was contracted to convert 14 LVTP-7 vehicles to prototype LVTP-7A1 configuration. This became the AAV7A1, and from 1982 to 1984 all LVTP-7s were converted to AAV7A1 standard. Improvements were made to the engine, transmission and the overall maintainability of the vehicle. The Cummins VT400 diesel engine replaced the GM 8V53T.<ref name="Foss 2011" >Template:Cite book</ref>

Enhanced Applique Armor Kits (EAAK) were produced for the AAV-7A1 beginning in 1991 and ending in 1993, providing protection against penetration from small arms fire up to 14.5 mm caliber as well as 155 mm artillery fragments.<ref name="Foss 2011" />

In 1997 BAE Systems was awarded a contract encompassing all AAV systems and components to return the AAV to the original vehicle's performance specifications and ensure acceptable readiness. Assault Amphibious Vehicle Reliability, Availability, Maintainability/Rebuild to Standard (AAV RAM/RS) program replaced both the AAV engine and suspension with US Army M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV) components modified for the AAV.<ref name="Foss 2011" />

Another improvement was added starting in 1987 in the form of a Cadillac Gage weapon station or Up-Gunned Weapon Station (UGWS).<ref name="Foss 2011" />

In March 2015, SAIC was awarded a contract to perform an AAV Survivability Upgrade (SU).<ref>SAIC Continues into Next Phase of Assault Amphibious Vehicle Survivability Upgrade Template:Webarchive - PRNewswire.com, 5 March 2015</ref> Marine Corps and SAIC officials unveiled the AAV SU prototype in January 2016, with survivability enhancements including replacing the angled EAAK with 49 advanced buoyant ceramic armor panels, a bonded spall liner, armor-protected external fuel tanks, an aluminum armor underbelly providing Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP)-equivalent blast protection, and blast mitigating seats as well as a more powerful engine, new suspension system, and increased reserve buoyancy.<ref name="marinecorpstimes29jan16">Marines' aging amphibious vehicle fleet to get better armor, more power Template:Webarchive - MarineCorpstimes.com, 29 January 2016</ref><ref>US Marine Corps Shows Off Upgraded Amphib VehicleTemplate:Dead link - Marine Corps Times (16 March 2016)</ref><ref name="usni23march16">Marines’ Upgraded AAVs Begin Delivering, Will Comprise One-Third of Lift Need In 2020s Template:Webarchive - News.USNI.org, 23 March 2016</ref> The AAV SU program was intended to upgrade 392 vehicles to keep them operational through 2035 as the ACV gradually entered service. In August 2017, the Marine Corps awarded SAIC a low-rate initial production for 21 vehicle upgrades. However, in August 2018 the Marine Corps terminated the AAV upgrade program, citing other budgetary priorities.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2021, the United States Marine Corps started to install the M153 Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS) on their AAVP-7A1s.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The M153 CROWS is a stabilized mount that contains a sensor suite and fire control software. It allows on-the-move target acquisition and first-burst target engagement. Capable of target engagement under day and night conditions, the CROWS sensor suite includes a daytime video camera, thermal camera and laser rangefinder. It can be fitted with the Mk-19 grenade launcher, M2 .50 Caliber Machine Gun, or M240B Medium Machine Gun.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Source-attribution</ref>

Service history

File:USMarines AAV Iraq apr 2004 116 hires.jpg
A US Marine Corps AAV during the First Battle of Fallujah, April 2004

Twenty U.S.-built LVTP-7s were used by Argentina during the 1982 invasion of the Falkland Islands<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> with most returning to the Argentine mainland before the war ended.

From 1982 to 1984, LVTP-7s were deployed with U.S. Marines as part of the multi-national peacekeeping force in Beirut, Lebanon. As Marines became increasingly involved in hostilities, several vehicles sustained minor damage from shrapnel and small arms fire.

On October 25, 1983 U.S. Marine LVTP-7s conducted a highly successful amphibious landing on the island of Grenada as part of Operation Urgent Fury.

It was heavily used in the 1991 Gulf War and Operation Restore Hope.

After the 2003 invasion of Iraq, AAV-7A1s were criticized for providing poor protection for the crew and passengers compared with other vehicles, such as the M2 Bradley. Eight were disabled or destroyed during the Battle of Nasiriyah, where they faced RPG, mortar, tank and artillery fire. At least one vehicle was hit by fire from friendly A-10 Warthog aircraft.<ref>Deadliest battle of war so far Sarasota Herald-Tribune, from The New York Times News Service, March 24, 2003</ref><ref>Zeigler, Martin (2006). Three Block War II: Snipers in the Sky. iUniverse, pp. 34 and 36.Template:ISBN</ref><ref>Final Roll Call Template:Webarchive</ref>

On 3 August 2005, 14 U.S. Marines and their Iraqi interpreter were killed when their AAV struck a roadside bomb in the city of Haditha in the Euphrates river valley in western Iraq.<ref name="marinecorpstimes29jan16"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

During the 2010 Rio de Janeiro security crisis, the Brazilian Naval Fusiliers used AAV-7A1s in support of their operations to occupy the Complexo da Penha and Complexo do Alemão favelas, where the vehicles were used to clear barricades left by the Red Command.<ref name=gazeta>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=veja>Template:Cite web</ref>

Eight U.S. Marines and one U.S. Navy sailor died on 30 July 2020, when their AAV sank in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Clemente Island, California, during a training exercise, ahead of an upcoming deployment.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> As a result of the incident, on 15 December 2021 the U.S. Marine Corps announced that it has banned its fleet of amphibious armored personnel carriers from maritime operations except in emergencies.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In May 2025, the U.S. Marine Corps retired the AAV-P7/A1 from active service.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Replacement attempts

Cancelled: Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle

Renamed from the Advanced Assault Amphibious Vehicle in late 2003, the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) was designed to replace the aging AAV. Able to transport a full Marine rifle squad to shore from an amphibious assault ship beyond the horizon with three times the speed in water and about twice the armor of the AAV, and superior firepower as well it was the Marine Corps' number one priority ground weapon system acquisition. The EFV was intended for deployment in 2015.<ref>U.S. Marine EFV Delivery Delayed to 2015 and Costs DoubleTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore. defensenews.com</ref> However, in 2011, United States Defense Secretary Robert Gates cancelled the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle.<ref name="efficiencies">Template:Citation</ref>

Replacement: Amphibious Combat Vehicle

In June 2018, the Marine Corps announced they had selected the BAE Systems/Iveco wheeled SuperAV for the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) program to supplement and ultimately replace the AAV.<ref name="defensenews19june18">BAE wins Marine Corps contract to build new amphibious combat vehicle. Defense News. 19 June 2018.</ref><ref name="usni19june18">Marines Pick BAE to Build Amphibious Combat Vehicle; Contract Worth Up to $1.2B Template:Webarchive. USNI News. 19 June 2018.</ref>

Variants

File:US Navy 020912-N-8087H-005 AAV launches from the well deck.jpg
An AAVR-7A1 (recovery vehicle) attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit splashes into the Pacific Ocean from the well deck of USS Juneau before heading to a beach.
  • LVTP-7: Original series introduced from 1972. Originally armed with a M85 12.7 mm (.50cal) machine gun.
  • LVTP-7A1: 1982 upgraded. Renamed to AAVP-7A1 from 1984.
    • AAVP-7A1 (Personnel): This is the most common AAV, as it carries a turret equipped with an M2HB 12.7 mm (.50 caliber) heavy machine gun, and a Mk19 40 mm automatic grenade launcher. It carries four crew radios as well as the AN/VIC-2 intercom system. It is capable of carrying 21 combat equipped Marines in addition to the crew of 4: driver, crew chief/vehicle commander, gunner, and rear crewman.
    • AAVC-7A1 (Command): This vehicle does not have a turret, and much of the cargo space of the vehicle is occupied by communications equipment. This version only has two crew radios, and in addition to the VIC-2, it also carries two VRC-92s, a VRC-89, a PRC-103 UHF radio, a MRC-83 HF radio and the MSQ internetworking system used to control the various radios. This AAV has a crew of 3, and additionally carries 5 radio operators, 3 staff members, and 2 commanding officers. Recently, the C7 has been upgraded to use Harris Falcon II class radios, specifically the PRC-117 for VHF/UHF/SATCOM, and the PRC-150 for HF.
    • AAVR-7A1 (Recovery): This vehicle also does not have a turret. The R7 is considered the "wrecker", as it has a crane as well as most tools and equipment needed for field repairs. It is by far the heaviest of the three, and sits considerably lower in the water. Crew of three, plus the repairmen.

Many P7s have been modified to carry the Mk 154 MCLC, or Mine Clearance Line Charge. The MCLC kit can fire three linear demolition charges to breach a lane through a minefield. MCLCs were used in the 1991 Persian Gulf War and again in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.

In the 1970s, the U.S. Army used an LVTP-7 as the basis for their Mobile Test Unit (MTU), a ground-based high-energy anti-aircraft laser. After several successful test firings at Redstone Army Arsenal, the laser was reportedly transferred to NASA.

  • KAAV7A1: KAAV7A1 amphibious vehicle series based on AAV-7A1 by Samsung Techwin (now Hanwha Defense) and BAE systems developed and manufactured in South Korea by Samsung Techwin.<ref name="PMCK">Template:Cite web</ref>

Training systems

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) under the Virtual Training and Environments (VIRTE) program, led by then LCDR Dylan Schmorrow, developed a prototype training system called the AAV Turret Trainer. The system consists of an actual surplus turret mounted with ISMT (Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer) weapons firing on a projected screen displaying the VIRTE Virtual Environment.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A total of 15 systems were produced for the USMC and one system for Taiwan.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Operators

File:AAVP7 operators.png
Map with AAVP7 operators in blue
File:LVTP7-IMARA-17may07.jpg
Argentine Navy LVTP-7

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File:05.25 總統視導漢光33號演習 (34039375924).jpg
Republic of China Marine Corps AAVs during a training exercise
File:ROCMC AAV-7A1 in ROCA Infantry School Ground 20120211.jpg
Republic of China Marine Corps AAV-7

Former Operators

See also

Notes

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