Marine assault amphibious vehicles will no longer deploy or train in the water after two investigations into the fatal sinking of one of them near San Diego last year, the Marine Corps announced Wednesday.
After Fatal Accident, Marines in Waterborne AAVs Get Emergency Breathing Devices
U.S. Marines with 2d Assault Amphibious Battalion (AABn), 2d Marine Division (MARDIV), conduct raid rehearsal training in an amphibious assault vehicle at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, May 6, 2020. (Sgt. Gloria Lepko/U.S. Marine Corps)
22 Apr 2021
Any Marine operating or riding in a waterborne amphibious assault vehicle will now get a supplemental emergency breathing device, Military.com has learned.
The Marine Corps has lifted its servicewide suspension on water operations for AAVs after one sank off the coast of California in July 2020. Eight Marines and one sailor riding inside drowned when the vehicle filled with water on its way back to their ship.
Marines New Amphibious Combat Vehicles Set to Begin Full-Rate Production
U.S. Marines with Amphibious Vehicle Test Branch, Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity, drive new Amphibious Combat Vehicles along the beach during low-light surf transit testing at AVTB Beach on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 18, 2019. (Andrew Cortez/U.S. Marine Corps)
14 Dec 2020
More Marine units will see their decades-old amphibious assault vehicles upgraded after a new deal was struck that will move production of the long-awaited amphibious combat vehicle into a new phase.
The Marine Corps awarded BAE Systems a nearly $185 million contract for full-rate production of 36 amphibious combat vehicles. The agreement, according to the Marine Corps, means the service can now build and field more ACVs at a sustained rate over the next several years.