US Marines select GDLS and Textron Systems to design new ARV-30 Armored Light Vehicle.

On March 6, 2024, the United States Marine Corps announced the selection of General Dynamics Land Systems and Textron Systems Corporation to build prototypes of an advanced reconnaissance vehicle equipped with a 30 mm cannon. This initiative aims to replace the LAV-25 light armored vehicle, which has been in service since the 1980s, with a more modern solution suited to current requirements.

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The Cottonmouth ARV (Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle) provides a lightweight multi-modal capability for the Marines, consistent with the service’s Force Design 2030 vision (Picture source: Textron)

According to the Program Executive Office-Land Systems, the contracts awarded amount to $11.8 million for Textron and $10.9 million for General Dynamics. Each company is tasked with delivering a prototype by fiscal year 2025.

These prototypes are part of a broader project to renew the reconnaissance vehicle fleet, potentially costing between $1.8 billion and $6.8 billion over five years if production is approved, according to a 2022 Congressional Research Service report. Prototype tests for command and control conducted by both companies were already completed, as announced on their respective websites in January.

The advanced reconnaissance vehicle, equipped with a 30 mm cannon, will share the same turret and weapon system used on the Amphibious Combat Vehicle-30. This standardization aims to facilitate maintenance and logistics for the Marine Corps, which operates with smaller fleets.

The decision to develop the ARV-30 falls within the Light Armored Vehicle Way-Ahead plan, intended to find a successor to the LAV-25 light armored vehicle. The current light armored vehicle, equipped with a 25 mm Bushmaster cannon and radio systems, has been in service since the early 1980s and is expected to reach the end of its lifecycle in the mid-2030s.

The new advanced reconnaissance vehicle is designed to fulfill several capabilities, including automatic medium-caliber armament, anti-armor capabilities, the use of precision-guided munitions, and drone deployment. It is also expected to integrate advanced electronic warfare capabilities and a modern command and control suite.

The ARV-30 is tailored to augment the operational capabilities of the US Marine Corps, aligning with the Corps' Force Design 2030 specifications. The ARV's development focuses on enhancing mobility, connectivity, transportability, defense, and firepower to effectively counter current and anticipated threats. This initiative is part of a larger effort by the Marine Corps to roll out a new generation of vehicles dedicated to mobile reconnaissance tasks, aiming to supplant the aging fleet of Light Armored Vehicles (LAV-25) that are equipped with a 25mm cannon.

This development aligns with the Marine Corps' vision for the future, following the guidelines of the Force Design 2030 initiated by former Commandant Gen. David Berger. The goal is to adapt the organization, equipment, and capabilities of the Corps to meet future challenges, with an emphasis on smaller, more mobile formations capable of distributed operations.

The completion and success of the ARV prototype tests are key steps in modernizing and adapting the Marine Corps' reconnaissance and combat capabilities to meet the demands of the 21st century.