The U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command awarded a total of $225.3M for the development and production of a new Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV).
SAIC, the American-based government contractor, received a $121.5M contract and BAE Systems recieved $103.7M for the build of initial 13 prototypes.
The two companies won the bid against three other competitors, which included Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics, according to the Washington Post.
During the first phase, BAE Systems will produce 16 prototypes that will be tested by the Marine Corps beginning in the third quarter of 2016. Work on the vehicles will take place at BAE Systems’ facilities in Quantico, Virginia; San Jose, California; and York, Pennsylvania.
According to a US Marines statement, the ACV will be an eight-wheeled vehicle that will provide protection akin to the Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles with landward maneuverability and mobility that is superior to that of the AAV. The ACV will also be outfitted with a precision weapons station, which will provide significant enhanced lethality, and will have a robust swim capability, allowing it to operate within the littorals.
BAE Systems’ ACV 1.1 solution is an 8×8 open ocean-capable vehicle that is based on a platform developed by IVECO Defence Vehicles.
SAIC secured the bid with their TERREX 2 design which has Hybrid All-Wheel Steering for tight well-deck maneuvers and seats three crew members and up to 11 embarked Marines.
The contract includes options for 60 low-rate initial production vehicles and 148 full-rate production (FRP) vehicles and if all options were to be exercised the contract would reach the value of $1.1B dollars.
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Naval Today Staff, Images: BAE Systems, Saic