Marine Corps wants information on ACV mission-role variants

The Marine Corps' acquisition arm is looking for information from industry about mission-role variants for its new Amphibious Combat Vehicle.

In a request for information posted Jan. 28 to Federal Business Opportunities, Marine Corps Systems Command calls on industry to present a "product summary, complete technical characteristics, and training and spare parts support capability" for potential mission role variants.

"This effort will include developing engineering drawings, manufacturing, and providing test support for the ACV MRV Vehicles," the notice reads.

"The Contractor shall design, manufacture, and deliver [ACV-Command (ACV-C)], [ACV-Recovery/Maintenance (ACV-R)], and [ACV-30 mm Medium Caliber Cannon] vehicles that maintain commonality with the existing ACV-Personnel (ACV-P) vehicle to the maximum extent possible," the posting continues, referring to the three mission role variant vehicles the Marine Corps expects to build.

BAE Systems is currently contracted to build Lots 1 and 2 of the new ACV, which will ultimately replace the Assault Amphibious Vehicle, for the program’s low-rate initial production stage.

John Swift, the amphibious programs director at BAE, in December said the Marine Corps plans to build three variants, in addition to its personnel variant. Those other variants include a gun variant, a command and control vehicle, and a recovery vehicle.

At the time, Swift said conversations were still taking place about the ACV variants, but the first would be a command and control vehicle.

"We will be soon placed on contract for the pursuit and the initial design of those variants. And we actually have meetings to discuss final requirements for the first variant, which will be a command and control variant," Swift said in December.

The Jan. 28 notice appears to refer to the three variants Swift mentioned last year when the Navy announced a $140 million contract modification for BAE to build Lot 2 of the ACV.

Replies are due to the Marine Corps Feb. 8.