As the Marine Corps continues final testing of Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) variants armed with 30mm cannons and crane hooks, it is exploring how to integrate another important capability into these vehicles: counter-UAS capabilities.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has elevated counter-drone weapons to a priority among the vehicle’s additional future capabilities, Col. Tim Hough, the U.S. Marine Corps’ advanced amphibious assault program manager, said Tuesday at the Modern Day Marine show in Washington.
Ukraine Experience Reveals Seriousness of UAV Threat
“The counter-drone threat is one that has been increasingly evident over the last four years as everyone has been watching the fighting in Ukraine,” Colonel Hough said. “It’s no longer a secret, and armored vehicles are an attractive target on the battlefield. I don’t think the ACV will be any different.” Hough’s comments clearly illustrate the increasing effectiveness of UAVs on the modern battlefield and the serious threat they pose to armored vehicles.
Form of Counter-UAV Capability Still Uncertain
It’s not yet clear how the counter-UAV capability could be integrated into the ACV. The Corps is in the “market research” phase of assessing the need, Col. Hough said, and is still gathering information on “what kind of technologies are out there in the realm of possibilities.” “Unlike other armored platforms on the battlefield, we have a unique requirement, and that is we need to push a 72.000-pound ‘brick’ through water more than 12 nautical miles,” Hough said. “Every time we add another capability to the vehicle, we have to make sure that we don’t overextend ourselves with the amount of weight we can put on the vehicle before it starts to limit its water mobility.” The statement underscores that maintaining the vehicle’s amphibious capabilities is critical to integrating new capabilities.
Tower Integrated Radar Option Under Evaluation
Hough said that among the possibilities being considered is a counter-UAV radar integrated into the vehicle’s turret, but “that’s completely open right now.” This statement suggests that different technological solutions are still under evaluation and that the final decision will be made after considering a variety of factors.
ACV: The Marine Corps' New "Armored Winnebago"
The ACV is being fielded to replace the Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV), which Colonel Hough described as the service’s “armored Winnebago” and is the Corps’ first new amphibious vehicle in half a century. Hough said the ACV achieved a unique milestone for the Marine Corps last year during its first Pacific deployment when it performed a waterborne artillery mission with its onboard Mk 19 40mm grenade launcher machine guns. This demonstrates that the ACV can not only transport personnel but also provide significant firepower.
More Weapons and Variants on the Way
The ACV’s armament will increase further in the future. The ACV-30 variant, which has an integrated 30 mm cannon capable of neutralizing enemy armored vehicles, is scheduled to reach initial operational capability (IOC) in 2026. The final ACV variant, specifically designed for repair and recovery missions and equipped with an attached crane, is expected to enter service in 2027. These different variants demonstrate the versatility of the ACV platform and its potential to meet the different operational needs of the Marine Corps.
ACV-30 Tests Continue
Operational testing of the ACV-30 began earlier this year at the U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center in Maryland and Camp Pendleton in California, and the vehicle is currently undergoing cybersecurity testing, Colonel Hough said. This rigorous testing process aims to ensure the vehicle can operate reliably and effectively in a combat environment.
Steady Progress After Early Setbacks
Hough said the ACV program is now on a more stable track after some early setbacks, including an unfortunate vehicle sinking that killed nine soldiers in 2020. This shows that the challenges the program faced have been overcome and significant progress has been made in developing a reliable platform.
Market Research Requests for New Talent Are On Their Way
Colonel Hough said that later this year, a series of market research requests (RFIs) will be issued for technologies such as counter-UAV weapons that will help modernize and add new capabilities that can be integrated into the ACV platform. This step will allow for the identification of cutting-edge technologies and potential solutions in the industry.
Other Wishlist Improvements
Other potential enhancements on Colonel Hough’s wish list include improvements in water maneuverability, responsiveness and speed; greater task automation for drivers; reduced noise levels inside the vehicle; and increased crew situational awareness. These requests reflect a continuing effort to make the ACV platform a more effective and user-friendly vehicle in future combat environments.
The Marine Corps’ exploration into adding UAV defenses to Amphibious Combat Vehicles represents a proactive approach to the evolving threats of the modern battlespace. As the conflict in Ukraine has shown, UAVs pose a serious threat to armored vehicles, and integrating this capability into the ACV could significantly increase the Marine Corps’ future operational effectiveness. However, integrating this new capability in a way that does not negatively impact the vehicle’s amphibious capabilities presents a significant challenge for engineers and program managers. Careful market research and technology assessment processes will enable the Marine Corps to find the best solution for this critical need.
