US Marine Corps orders 175 Norwegian Protector RT-20 turrets to increase firepower on ACV-30 vehicles.

On November 4, 2024, the Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace was awarded a $329 million contract to supply 175 Protector Remote Turret 20 systems for the U.S. Marine Corps' Amphibious Combat Vehicle 30 (ACV-30). The Protector’s design, which does not require an internal basket, provides additional internal space and may reduce the ACV-30’s weight. This procurement is part of the Marine Corps’ plan to gradually replace the AAV-7A1 amphibious assault vehicles that have been in service since 1971.
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The Protector’s network capabilities support remote and wireless operation and can facilitate Hunter-Killer functions and target sharing among multiple vehicles, aligning with the Marine Corps’ multi-platform engagement needs. (Picture source: BAE Systems)

The ACV-30, a variant within the U.S. Marine Corps’ Amphibious Combat Vehicle family, is currently being tested with the Kongsberg RT-20 turret. BAE Systems, the primary contractor for the ACV program since its selection in 2018, delivered the first production representative test vehicle (PRTV) of the ACV-30 equipped with this turret in early 2024. The ACV-30 is designed to support Marine Corps operations on both land and in amphibious environments, integrating a stabilized, remotely operated 30mm cannon that aims to enhance operational efficiency without compromising troop or equipment capacity.

The Kongsberg RT-20 turret is a remotely operated weapon system developed to be compatible with various platforms, including wheeled, tracked, and robotic vehicles. According to Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace Vice President Jørgen Bull, the RT-20 turret is modular and digital, supporting the integration of new technologies. The turret’s design, which eliminates the need for an internal basket commonly found in legacy turret systems, creates additional space within the vehicle for personnel or equipment and potentially reduces vehicle weight to enhance mobility.

As part of Kongsberg’s Integrated Combat Solution (ICS), the RT-20 turret includes a fire control system capable of adjusting for variables such as firing angle, inclination, and vehicle movement to assist targeting during complex operational scenarios. The system’s network capabilities support remote and wireless operation and can facilitate Hunter-Killer functions and target sharing among multiple vehicles, aligning with the Marine Corps’ multi-platform engagement needs.

The ACV-30 is the third variant in the ACV vehicle family, following the Personnel (ACV-P) and Command and Control (ACV-C) versions, both of which are currently in full-rate production. The ACV-C, delivered in early 2024, functions as a mobile command center with situational awareness features designed for tactical operations. The ACV Recovery (ACV-R) variant is also in development, with plans to provide support and recovery capabilities to the ACV fleet by 2025.

The Marine Corps plans for the ACV-30 to achieve Initial Operational Capability (IOC) by the third quarter of FY 2026, allowing at least one unit to be deployed with sufficient vehicles, spare parts, and training. In line with its modernization objectives, the Marine Corps has allocated $557.5 million in its FY-24 budget to procure 80 additional ACVs, with the total expected to surpass 100 by FY-25. These new ACVs, including the ACV-30, are part of a broader effort to replace the aging AAV-7A1 amphibious assault vehicle, which has been in service since 1971.

The ACV platform, based on IVECO Defence Vehicles’ SuperAV 8x8 amphibious armored vehicle, includes a monocoque steel hull that offers protection from small arms fire, artillery shell fragments, landmines, and IEDs. BAE Systems and IVECO collaborated on a design that provides amphibious capabilities, allowing the ACV to reach speeds of up to 11 km/h in water with propulsion from two rear-mounted propellers. When combat-loaded, the vehicle family has a gross weight of approximately 32,000 kg and includes add-on armor kits for enhanced protection.

Currently, the ACV family includes four primary variants: ACV-P, ACV-C, ACV-R, and the ACV-30 with the 30mm Remote Turret System. The ACV Program Office’s primary focus remains on the personnel variant (ACV-P), which can transport 13 Marines and a crew of three, as well as on the newly delivered ACV-C. Designed for both open-ocean and ship-to-shore operations, the ACV program is structured to address the Marine Corps’ current and future mission needs, especially within the Indo-Pacific region. As part of BAE Systems’ production strategy, these vehicles incorporate features to support the integration of future mission-critical technologies, including advanced communications, multi-domain targeting, and potential for Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T).