US Marine Corps Orders More Amphibious Combat Vehicles

To date BAE Systems has received orders for almost 200 ACVs in a mixture of four variants from the USMC. Image: BAE Systems

12/10/2026

The U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) has ordered 32 more Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACVs) — this time the Recovery Mission Role variant (ACV-R).

The 8×8 platform built by BAE Systems has been dreamed up as a successor to the force’s Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV), now a 40-year old design.

It’s supplied in four variants: the ACV-P personnel carrier; the ACV-C command and control vehicle, the ACV-30 featuring Kongsberg’s MCT-30 30mm cannon mounted on a turret; and the ACV-R recovery vehicle.

As per BAE Systems the ACV is “a unique mix of true open-ocean amphibious capability, land mobility, survivability, payload, and growth potential to accommodate the evolving operational needs of the United States Marine Corps (USMC).”

It can swim to shore from a distance of 12 nautical miles at 6 knots, then has a land range of over 250 miles. It features a blast resistant hull and energy absorbing seats for survivability against mines, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and other kinetic threats.

The ACV-R variant is designed to enhance operational flexibility by providing recovery capabilities; it has a top speed of over 65mph, and features a heavy-duty winch and extending/rotating crane operated via handheld controller.

The ACV-R also comes equipped with a battlefield welding and cutting kit. In total 32 of the ACV-Rs have been ordered at a cost of about $195 million. Work on the ACV-R programme will primarily take place at BAE’s York, Pennsylvania facility and will continue into 2029.

Vice president of combat vehicles at BAE Systems Rebecca McGrane said: “Our partnership with the U.S. Marine Corps has been instrumental in the development and production of the ACV programme, and this award highlights our shared commitment to make sure they are equipped with the capabilities they need to succeed.”

In total the USMC has now ordered almost 200 ACVs across all four variants, with a total value of at least $2.7 billion, including more than 150 ACV-30s. The total value of the deal if all options are exercised could rise to almost $4.1 billion.