US Marines Accelerate Mobile Firepower Modernization with ACV-30 Amphibious Combat Vehicle.

The U.S. Marine Corps' Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) program has reached a new milestone with the award of a full-rate production contract to Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace for the supply of 30 mm remote-controlled turrets for the ACV-30 variant. Announced on August 5, 2025, in an official Kongsberg press release, the contract is valued at up to USD 330 million.
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The contract covers the production of MCT-30 turrets, stabilized and remotely operated systems capable of integrating the XM813 30 mm chain gun, various armor configurations, and anti-tank guided missiles (Picture source: Kongsberg)

This contract marks a significant step forward in the industrialization of the armed version of the ACV, developed by BAE Systems in partnership with Italy-based Iveco Defence Vehicles. This transatlantic cooperation reflects the strategic importance of the ACV program, which is intended not only to replace the aging fleet of Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAVs) but also to serve as a modular, scalable platform capable of addressing current and future threats.

The contract covers the production of MCT-30 turrets, stabilized and remotely operated systems capable of integrating the XM813 30 mm chain gun, various armor configurations, and anti-tank guided missiles. The ACV-30, one of four variants in the ACV family, addresses a longstanding capability gap by providing Marine infantry units with mobile, organic, and accurate fire support during both amphibious assaults and ground operations.

Unlike the ACV-P troop transport variant, the ACV-30 is equipped with a direct fire system enabling stabilized engagements on the move, day or night, including with programmable airburst munitions effective against drones, light armored vehicles, or fortified positions in both open and urban terrain.

The vehicle is based on a proven 8x8 wheeled chassis, weighs over 35 tons, and is powered by a 700-horsepower engine, allowing speeds over 65 mph (105 km/h) on land and up to 6 knots at sea. It features an open electronic architecture and modular armor, enabling future upgrades such as active protection systems or electronic warfare capabilities.

The contract follows an earlier milestone in November 2024, when the Marine Corps committed USD 51 million to acquire long-lead items required to launch the program. This new order is the first full-rate production contract issued by the Program Executive Office Land Systems under the Program Manager Advanced Amphibious Assault (PM AAA). It includes an initial order for around one hundred turrets to be manufactured in the United States at Kongsberg’s facility in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, which has been expanded to accommodate a dedicated medium-caliber turret production line.

Since 2008, more than 20,000 remotely operated weapon systems have been produced at this facility for U.S. military programs such as MADIS and CROWS. In parallel, BAE Systems has received a contract modification worth USD 181.1 million to produce 31 ACV-30 vehicles, along with deployment and logistical support. Production will be distributed across five U.S. sites, including York, Aiken, San Jose, Sterling Heights, and Stafford, while hulls will be provided by Iveco in Italy. Final delivery is expected by September 2027.

Both contracts are funded through fiscal year 2025 procurement accounts and are managed by Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, Virginia. Additional options could raise the total value of the ACV contract to USD 3.85 billion and that of the turrets to USD 271.4 million.

A portion of the turret manufacturing will also be carried out in Norway, with 38 percent of the industrial workload. With this new step, the Marine Corps is advancing its amphibious warfare capabilities through a system designed to be modular, interoperable, and adaptable. The ACV-30 fits directly into the Force Design 2030 initiative, which aims to reconfigure the Marine Corps for distributed operations and high-intensity conflict.

Designed to meet the requirements of future expeditionary operations, the ACV-30 provides front-line, embedded direct fire support. It is intended to accompany dismounted units during complex littoral assaults and extended ground engagements, including in contested environments where mobility and firepower offer a tactical advantage.

With its amphibious mobility, high protection levels, and advanced weapon system, the vehicle integrates into the U.S. Marine Corps' concept of Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO), supporting dispersed force deployment and precision strikes against threats located in anti-access environments. The ACV-30 is thus a key component in maintaining operational freedom for U.S. forces against technologically capable adversaries.