USMC Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle. Note the bow, which is extended into hydroplaning position.

The Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAAV) is the newest USMC amphibious vehicle, intended for deployment in 2008. The AAAV is part of the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) program.

The designed is an amphibious armored personnel carrier; launched at sea, from a mother ship beyond the horizon, able to transport a full Marine rifle squad to shore. It will maneuver cross country with an agility and mobility equal to or greater than the M1 Abrams.

The AAAV is designed to replace the aging AAV, and is the Marine Corps' number one priority ground weapon system acquisition. It has three times the speed and about twice the armor of the AAV.

Background

In the 1980s the Marine corps developed an 'over the horizon' strategy for ocean based assaults. The intention was to protect naval ships from enemy mines and shore defenses. It included the MV-22 Osprey, the Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC), and the AAAV.

Design

The AAAV in land mode.

The AAAV is an amphibious armored tracked vehicle with an aluminum hull. The engine is a custom MTU diesel (MT883) (http://www.mtu-friedrichshafen.com/en/ps/ps1010530_1.htm) with two modes of operation; a high power mode for planing over the sea, and a low power mode for land travel.

The hull has a hydraulically actuated bow flap to aid planing. Shrouded propulsors are integrated into each side of the hull and hydrauliclly actuated chines cover the tracks while in seafaring mode.

It has a crew of three and can transport 18 soldiers and their equipment.

There is a Command Platform version with secure command and control electronics (and seven work stations), but lacking the 30mm cannon.

Armament

It is fitted with composite armor, mine-blast protection, and a nuclear, biological and chemical defense system (NBC). The standard version also has the venerable Bushmaster II 30 mm Cannon.

The aluminum hull has caused some controversy due to protection and flammability concerns. It is vulnerable to most armor piercing weapons and ignited aluminum produces toxic fumes. However, aluminum hulls have been used for decades in military boats. The rear loading ramp is not able to open while the vehicle is afloat.

Other features;

• 1- 7.62 Machine Gun (1, Coaxial)
• Smoke / Gas Dispensers (32)
• Rear Troop Hatch
• Top Troop Hatches (2)
• Reinforced Crew Compartment

See also

• AAV
• Bushmaster M242

External links

• Official USMC Site (http://www.efv.usmc.mil/)
• MTU diesel engines (http://www.mtu-friedrichshafen.com/en/frameset/f_home.htm)
• FAS AAAV article (http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/aaav.htm)

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