US Marines Amphibious Combat Vehicle Completes First Open-Water Amphibious Movement in Japan.

In December 2024, the U.S. Marine Corps’ 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, successfully completed its first open-water amphibious movement at Kushi Crossing, Okinawa, marking a significant milestone for the Marine Corps’ Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) program. The ACV is the newest amphibious vehicle platform developed to replace the legacy Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV), which has been in service since 1972. This achievement reflects the ongoing modernization of the Marine Corps’ amphibious capabilities, ensuring that it maintains a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving strategic landscape.
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U.S. Marines operating an Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) complete an amphibious landing from Kushi Crossing to Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 10, 2024. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

The Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) program was initiated by the U.S. Marine Corps to modernize its amphibious assault capabilities, replacing the aging Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV), which had been in service since 1972. The contract for the ACV program was awarded to BAE Systems in 2018 after a competitive bidding process. The Marine Corps signed a $198 million contract with BAE for the production of the ACVs, which was later expanded to more than $5 billion to cover full-rate production and the procurement of over 1,000 vehicles. The ACV is designed to provide enhanced protection, mobility, and firepower, making it a crucial asset for modern amphibious operations. The vehicle is capable of carrying a 13-man infantry squad while offering greater survivability and faster speeds than its predecessor, the AAV.

The ACV family includes multiple variants to address various operational needs, such as the ACV-1.1 (the base amphibious assault vehicle), ACV Command & Control, ACV Recovery, and ACV Engineer variants. Additionally, the Marine Corps has plans to develop an ACV-30 variant equipped with a 30mm cannon to provide greater fire support in amphibious and ground combat operations. The ACV’s 8x8 wheeled chassis provides significant mobility both in water and on land, with the vehicle capable of speeds up to 45 mph on land and 8-10 knots in water. This program is a cornerstone of the Marine Corps' modernization efforts, ensuring that Marines can project power quickly and effectively in contested littoral zones and maintain a flexible, responsive presence across the globe.

The ACV program began with the fielding of the new platform in Fleet Marine Force units at Camp Pendleton, California, in November 2022. The ACV has undergone nearly two years of rigorous testing and evaluation, designed to provide enhanced mobility, survivability, and operational capabilities compared to the aging AAV. Its first overseas operational deployment took place in Okinawa, Japan, with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) on June 24, 2024. Just a few days later, on June 29, III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) units received their own ACVs, marking the start of a new chapter in the Marine Corps’ amphibious operations.

The Marine Corps has long recognized the need for robust amphibious capabilities, which remain central to its role as the nation’s expeditionary force in readiness. The ability to project power from the sea and conduct amphibious assaults is a core tenet of U.S. military doctrine, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, where contested littoral zones, rapid maneuvering, and the need for crisis response are critical. The transition from the AAV to the ACV is a response to these evolving demands, enhancing the Marine Corps’ ability to project power quickly and effectively from the sea to shore.

The ACV was developed to modernize the Marine Corps’ amphibious assault capabilities. Unlike the AAV, which had limitations in terms of survivability, mobility, and communications, the ACV is designed with enhanced protection against land-based and maritime threats, greater speed, and improved maneuverability. It also offers superior communications capabilities, allowing Marines to maintain connectivity in challenging environments. The ACV can operate in a wide range of environments, including high-threat areas, urban combat zones, and areas with harsh environmental conditions, making it a versatile and essential asset for modern amphibious operations.

The Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) is the U.S. Marine Corps’ next-generation amphibious assault platform, designed to replace the aging Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV). (Picture U.S. 

The performance of the ACV at Kushi Crossing was a critical part of its integration into ongoing training and operations in Okinawa. According to 1st Lt. Jacob Yehl, the ACV platoon commander of 4th Marines, the mission was to validate the suitability of various training areas and beach landing sites (BLSs) for ACV operations. “Since the ACV has been fielded here in July, these training areas have not yet been transited by ACVs or validated,” Yehl explained. “Our mission here today, and on this rotation, is to make sure all of those training areas and BLSs are trafficable and supportable for ACV operations in the future.” The operation involved conducting amphibious exercises under varying conditions, including low tide, high tide, and low-light situations, ensuring that ACVs can perform effectively in a wide range of operational environments.

Kushi Crossing is a particularly important site in Okinawa, as it provides the only entry point into the Central Training Area, a critical region for the integration of ACVs into larger training exercises. The ability of the ACVs to operate effectively at this location demonstrates their versatility and operational readiness. The ACV platoon’s central mission is to provide ship-to-shore lift for infantry and support the reinforcement of their assault as they move inland to key objectives.

The transition from the AAV to the ACV is a significant one for many Marines, who have years of experience operating the older platform. Staff Sergeant Juwan White, a section leader in the ACV platoon, shared his perspective on this transition. “I remember eight years ago I was driving an AAV from Recon Beach, Camp Schwab here to Kushi, regularly,” White recalled. “Now here I am today doing the same thing with an ACV for the very first time for the next generations of Marines to do.” This shift reflects a broader modernization effort within the Marine Corps, ensuring that future Marines will be equipped with more capable and advanced vehicles for amphibious assault missions.

The Marine Corps’ emphasis on maintaining robust amphibious capabilities is reflected in the strategic importance of units like the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). The ACVs from the 4th Marine Regiment are attached to the 31st MEU, which is based at Camp Hansen, Okinawa. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps' rapid-response force in the Indo-Pacific region, capable of responding to a wide range of contingencies, from humanitarian assistance to full-scale combat operations. The addition of the ACVs to the 31st MEU significantly enhances the unit’s amphibious capabilities, particularly in conducting ship-to-shore lift and supporting combat operations on land. As a rapid-response force, the 31st MEU is poised to provide a flexible and capable presence in the region, capable of responding quickly to emerging crises or conflicts.

In addition to their role with the 31st MEU, the ACVs play a crucial part in the Marine Corps’ larger strategy for crisis response and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. The region is home to key U.S. allies, including Japan, South Korea, and Australia, and is increasingly the focus of geopolitical competition. With tensions rising in the South China Sea, the Taiwan Strait, and other strategic areas, the Marine Corps’ ability to project power from the sea through amphibious operations is seen as a critical component of U.S. national security.

The ability of the ACV to operate effectively in the Indo-Pacific region is crucial for maintaining the U.S. military’s amphibious capabilities and strengthening partnerships with regional allies. Staff Sgt. White emphasized the significance of the recent training at Kushi Crossing, stating, “The primary message of the training we conducted is that we’ve proven and shown that ACVs belong here in Okinawa for III MEF to have at their disposal.” This reflects the growing confidence in the ACV as a reliable and integral part of the Marine Corps’ amphibious operations.

As the ACV program continues to expand and evolve, it will play a central role in the U.S. Marine Corps’ strategy for amphibious warfare, ensuring that Marines are equipped with the most advanced and capable platforms for responding to future threats. The successful completion of the training mission in Okinawa demonstrates the operational effectiveness of the ACV and highlights its importance for future military operations in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. With its enhanced protection, mobility, and operational flexibility, the ACV is poised to play a key role in the Marine Corps’ ongoing efforts to maintain a strong and responsive amphibious force capable of confronting any challenge in today’s complex security environment.