BAE Systems has secured a $184 million (£145 million) contract from the US Marine Corps for the full-rate production of 30 additional Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACVs).
This award, designated as FRP 6A, forms part of the ongoing Lot 5/6 contract and marks a significant milestone as the total number of ACV-30 variants ordered now exceeds 100 units. For stakeholders in the UK defence supply chain, this development highlights the sustained global demand for high-mobility, modular platforms capable of operating in contested littoral environments.
The ACV platform is engineered to deliver a strategic balance of adaptability, protection, and mobility. A key feature of the ACV-30 variant is the integration of a 30mm remote turret system produced by KONGSBERG Aerospace and Defence Inc. This focus on “systems-ready” architecture allows the vehicle to be outfitted with advanced lethality and sensor suites without compromising its core performance in open-ocean or inland missions. For sub-contractors and technology partners, the success of the ACV program demonstrates the critical role of third-party system integration in modern vehicle procurement, where the base platform must serve as a flexible host for evolving mission-specific technologies.
In addition to the combat variant, BAE Systems is actively managing the production of the ACV-Personnel (ACV-P) and ACV-Command (ACV-C) versions. The personnel carrier is designed for the safe transport of combat-loaded troops, while the command variant provides a mobile operations centre equipped with multiple workstations to manage real-time battle space awareness. Furthermore, the company has delivered three ACV-Recovery (ACV-R) test vehicles. These units feature specialised crane and recovery equipment, designed to provide essential field maintenance and repair capabilities for Assault Amphibian companies.
Production work for the ACV-30 is primarily concentrated in Johnstown and York, Pennsylvania, with final system integration involving the KONGSBERG turret taking place at the Naval Warfare Information Center in Charleston, South Carolina. While the manufacturing footprint is US-based, the continued expansion of the ACV program reinforces BAE Systems’ position as a dominant global prime contractor. This operational stability and technical expertise often translate into shared best practices and cross-border innovation across the company’s international divisions, including those within the UK. As the US Marine Corps continues to modernise its amphibious fleet, the ACV remains a central pillar of its force structure, representing a long-term project with substantial lifecycle management and technological upgrade potential for the global defence industry.
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Post written by: Vicky Maggiani
Vicky has worked in media for over 25 years and has a wealth of experience in editing and creating copy for a variety of sectors.
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