The US Marine Corps (USMC) has contracted Norwegian prime Kongsberg for the production of 175 medium calibre weapons systems, which will be fitted to full-rate production turreted variants of the new-build Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV).
In a US Department of Defense (DoD) announcement on 4 November 2024, it was revealed that the $329m contract will deliver Protector Remote Turret 20 systems for ACV vehicles for full-rate production Lots 5 and 6. The procurement includes programme management support and training support for integration and fielding, among other services.
The entirety of the contract work will be performed in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, with an expected completion date of 4 June 2028. Fiscal 2024 procurement funds in the amount of $51m was obligated at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the fiscal year, the DoD stated.
Integrating a remotely operated 30mm turret onto the ACV will provide USMC units with direct fire support for tactical formations onto the ground and is representative of the shift in direction of the service from land-based warfare seen in the early 2000s and 2010s back to maritime expeditionary operations, under its Force Design 2030 structure.
Timeline of the Amphibious Combat Vehicle
The ACV-30 is the latest model in the series of ACV that manufacturer BAE Systems has been developing since being appointed the primary contractor for the programme in 2018, when the company received a $198m contract for the initial delivery of 30 base vehicles, with an option to deliver up to 204 additional units worth a total of $1.2bn.
By March 2024, a further $181.8m firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded contract to exercise options for the production of 34 ACVs had seen the total cumulative face value of the programme reach in excess of $2.7bn.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalDataIn January 2024, manufacturer BAE Systems delivered the first production representative vehicle of the ACV 30mm cannon (ACV-30) variant to the USMC. It was subsequently reported by Army Technology in May 2024 that the USMC had begun testing the turreted ACV-30 vehicle.
As the third variant in the ACV family, the ACV-30 introduces a stabilised, medium-caliber remote turret system by Kongsberg, providing increased interior volume for crew and embarked units.
The broader ACV range of vehicles, which includes the ACV Personnel (ACV-P) variant and ACV Command and Control (ACV-C) variant, are currently in full-rate production. Additionally, BAE Systems is on contract to design and develop an ACV Recovery (ACV-R) variant providing maintenance and recovery capability.
In March 2023, among numerous ACV contracts, BAE Systems secured a $256.8m contract from the USMC to produce, field, and support the ACV Personnel and Command variant. The agreement was valued in excess of $145.3m for at least 25 ACV-P vehicles and $111.5m for 14 ACV-C vehicles.
In April 2024, BAE Systems announced it had received an $79m contract for a production representative test vehicle for the ACV-R variant, to provide direct field support, maintenance, and recovery to the ACV family of vehicles.
