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Breaking News: U.S. Marines Deploy New Amphibious Combat Vehicle in First Indo-Pacific Operational Mission.
For the first time, the U.S. Marine Corps has operationally deployed its new Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) in the Indo-Pacific region, marking a significant milestone in the modernization of its amphibious assault capabilities. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), stationed at Camp Hansen in Okinawa, Japan, integrated the ACV into its training regimen during the Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercise (MEUEX), which took place from April 28 to May 9, 2025. This deployment reflects a broader modernization initiative aimed at enhancing the Corps’ strategic mobility, tactical flexibility, and combat effectiveness in expeditionary and littoral operations.
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U.S. Marines with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, disembark from a U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Combat Vehicle during a simulated force-on-force mechanized raid at Combat Town, Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, April 24, 2025. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)
The 31st MEU is the only permanently forward-deployed Marine Expeditionary Unit in the U.S. Marine Corps and is a critical component of the III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF). As part of the Marine Corps’ crisis response and rapid deployment forces, the 31st MEU is strategically based in the Western Pacific and serves as the tip of the spear for the United States’ Indo-Pacific defense posture. It functions as a scalable, sea-based Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF), capable of executing amphibious operations, limited contingency missions, and humanitarian assistance efforts. The integration of the ACV into this highly agile and responsive unit enhances its operational readiness and its ability to project force across vast maritime regions in support of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) objectives.
The ACV (Amphibious Combat Vehicle), developed by BAE Systems in partnership with Iveco Defence Vehicles, is designed to replace the aging Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV), which has been a mainstay of Marine Corps amphibious operations since the 1970s. This transition was prompted by growing concerns over the AAV’s survivability and operational limitations, particularly in modern high-threat environments. The ACV program aims to deliver 632 vehicles in various configurations to fulfill a range of mission requirements. These include the ACV Personnel variant (ACV-P), designed to transport 13 embarked Marines and three crew members; the ACV Command and Control (ACV-C); the ACV Recovery (ACV-R); and the ACV-30, which will be equipped with a 30mm cannon for enhanced fire support.
From a technical standpoint, the ACV represents a quantum leap in amphibious capability. It is engineered for launch and recovery from amphibious assault ships beyond the horizon and is capable of navigating in Sea State 3, withstanding wave heights up to 1.25 meters. Its advanced waterborne propulsion system, featuring dual water jets, enables the ACV to travel over 19 kilometers (12 miles) in open sea at speeds up to 10 kilometers per hour (6 mph). This performance allows for more flexible, dispersed, and survivable ship-to-shore operations, especially critical during the initial stages of amphibious assaults where forces are most vulnerable.
On land, the ACV is driven by a 515 kW (700 hp) six-cylinder diesel engine that propels the vehicle to speeds exceeding 105 km/h (65 mph). It has a land range of more than 520 kilometers (325 miles), allowing it to support extended operations inland once a beachhead has been secured. Its 8x8 wheeled configuration, coupled with independent suspension, provides exceptional off-road performance and enhances crew comfort over rough terrain.
The vehicle's protection systems are equally robust. It features a V-shaped hull for blast deflection, advanced modular armor to withstand small arms fire and shell fragments, and full NBC (nuclear, biological, and chemical) defense capabilities. Integrated spall liners and automatic fire suppression systems further improve survivability. The ACV is also designed with the future battlefield in mind—it has built-in growth capacity to integrate additional capabilities such as active protection systems, electronic warfare modules, and counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS).
In terms of firepower, the ACV-P variant is equipped with a remote weapon station capable of mounting a 12.7mm heavy machine gun or a 40mm automatic grenade launcher. The upcoming ACV-30 variant will significantly increase combat lethality with a stabilized 30mm Mk44 Bushmaster II cannon, enabling it to effectively engage fortified positions, light armored threats, and provide direct support to infantry units.
The ACV also excels in networked warfare. It features an advanced command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C4I) suite, allowing for real-time battlefield coordination and data sharing across dispersed units. This digital backbone enhances situational awareness and command responsiveness, ensuring that Marine commanders can make informed decisions in rapidly evolving combat environments.
During MEUEX 2025, Marines employed the ACV in a range of rigorous training scenarios, including mechanized raids and complex amphibious assaults. These exercises validated the ACV’s performance in diverse operational conditions and confirmed its value in enhancing force projection and tactical agility. The vehicle’s seamless transition from sea to land, coupled with its survivability and combat systems, makes it a vital asset in modern expeditionary warfare.
Lieutenant General Roger B. Turner, commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force, praised the ACV’s operational impact, noting that it significantly improves the Corps’ capability to conduct sea denial and maritime operations. He emphasized that the vehicle’s deployment strengthens the III MEF's deterrence posture and its ability to respond decisively to crises throughout the Indo-Pacific.
The successful integration of the ACV into the 31st MEU’s force structure marks a new chapter in Marine Corps amphibious warfare. As geopolitical tensions and the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific continue to grow, the ACV will play a central role in enabling rapid, resilient, and lethal response capabilities from the sea to inland objectives. This deployment not only validates the ACV’s design but also reinforces the Marine Corps' commitment to maintaining a forward-deployed, technologically advanced force ready for 21st-century challenges.