Marine Corps postpones ARV industry day to refine program requirements

The Marine Corps has postponed an Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle industry day, first scheduled for Feb. 29, to an undisclosed date later in fiscal year 2024 in order to further refine program requirements.

“The USMC has gained critical knowledge through the ARV prototyping effort and is applying that knowledge to refining the requirement,” according to a Feb. 8 announcement that provides no further explanation for the delay.

The Marine Corps spent FY-23 evaluating initial ARV prototypes from contractors Textron Systems and General Dynamics Land System. The two companies are now working to mature these vehicles and preparing to build additional 30mm cannon vehicle prototypes for further government testing ahead of the program’s engineering and manufacturing development phase.

At the industry day, the Marine Corps is expected to provide information on the upcoming EMD phase. The service anticipates releasing a request for proposals in the second quarter of FY-25 and awarding an EMD contract in the second quarter of FY-26.

The Marine Corps is eyeing a family of six ARV mission role variants to replace the legacy Amphibious Assault Vehicle and become the primary platform supporting the new mobile reconnaissance battalions.

The service’s FY-24 budget request includes $63.6 million in continuing research and development funding for the program and projects procurement to begin in FY-28.