Pendleton Marines Put Amphibious Combat Vehicle to the Test
December 31, 2019 | U.S. Marine CorpsEstimated reading time: 2 minutes

The world is constantly advancing around us. As the most feared fighting force in the world, it is imperative Marines advance their capabilities along with it. The Corps’ new Amphibious Combat Vehicle is here to improve Marines’ amphibious capabilities.
Marines with the Amphibious Vehicle Test Branch, Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity, tested the ACV’s maneuverability and performance during low-light and night operations on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton’s beaches, Dec. 16-18. The Marines spent hours driving ACVs the Southern California surf and in the open ocean to assess how well they could interface with the vehicle and conduct operations in low light.
The ACV will be replacing the Amphibious Assault Vehicle starting in late 2020. The AAV has been in service since 1972, serving in countries around the world. The AAV has been the go-to vehicle to carry Marines and gear from ship to shore, but with adversaries around the world growing more powerful, the ACV was created to enhance the capabilities of ship to shore missions and amphibious assaults.
“It’s a huge difference on how the ACV and the AAV drive and handle,” said Marine Sgt. Fernando Alvarez, an AAV operator with AVTB. “The main difference (with wheels) is that it’s a lot faster on land. But instead of pivoting like the AAV, we have to make three-point turns now, which is not a problem.”
The ACV powers through high surf, traverses over trenches and trucks over sloped terrain. The ACV’s significant protective assets make it resilient to direct attacks and allow it to operate with degraded mobility in an ever-changing battle environment. The vehicle possesses sufficient lethality to deliver accurate fire support to infantry, whether stationary or on the move.
“Technology is modernizing,” explained Sandvold. “As we learn about the ACV, we see everything it has to offer.”
The ACV also has a unique V-shape underbelly to deflect the blast of improvised explosive devices. Since IED’s were the most lethal weapons used against AAV’s, the new ACV was designed to take a blast from an IED, continue the mission and bring Marines home safely.
Testimonial
"We’re proud to call I-Connect007 a trusted partner. Their innovative approach and industry insight made our podcast collaboration a success by connecting us with the right audience and delivering real results."
Julia McCaffrey - NCAB GroupSuggested Items
Saab, the Swedish Armed Forces Extend Gripen Maintenance Contract
10/13/2025 | SaabSaab and the Swedish Armed Forces have extended an existing contract and Saab has received an order for support- and maintenance services for Gripen C/D and E. The order value is approximately SEK 4 billion and deliveries will take place 2026 to 2027.
RTX Unveils new APG-82(V)X Radar Enhanced with Gallium Nitride
09/25/2025 | RTXRaytheon, an RTX business, has unveiled the latest iteration of its combat-proven APG-82 radar, the APG-82(V)X. The new radar variant incorporates cutting-edge gallium nitride (GaN) technology to enhance the radar's effectiveness, delivering increased range, advanced air-to-air, air-to-ground and electronic warfare capabilities.
U.S. Army Awards $13M IDIQ Contract to Element U.S. Space & Defense
09/11/2025 | BUSINESS WIREElement U.S. Space & Defense, a trusted leader in advanced testing and engineering services, has been awarded a multi-year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract valued at $13,021,816 from United States Army Contracting Command - Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG).
New Frontier Aerospace and Air Force Institute of Technology Sign CRADA to Advance Hypersonic VTOL Aircraft
08/05/2025 | PR NewswireNew Frontier Aerospace (NFA) is excited to announce a Collaborative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) aimed at advancing an innovative rocket-powered hypersonic Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) aircraft.
L3Harris, ELT Group to Establish Multi-Sensor Test Facility in Italy
07/28/2025 | L3Harris TechnologiesL3Harris Technologies has partnered with ELT Group, the Italian global leader in electromagnetic spectrum operations, to establish a multi-sensor test facility for commercial, military and government programs.