Assault Amphibious Vehicle

History

Development

The U.S. Marine Corps became interested in replacing the LVTP-5 due to its limited range, slow water speed and the difficulty of maintaining the aging platform. In 1964, the Marine Corps solicited proposals to replace meet its requirement. The Marine Corps selected a proposal by FMC. FMC delivered the first of 15 prototypes, designated LVTPX12, in October 1967. Marine Corps testing concluded in September 1969. In June 1970, the Marine Corps awarded FMC a $78.5 million contract for the production of 942 vehicles.

The first production models were delivered in August 1971 and the first units became operational in March 1972. In 1977, FMC was contracted to convert 14 LVTP-7 vehicles to prototype LVTP-7A1 configuration. This became the AAV7A1, and from 1982 to 1984 all LVTP-7s were converted to AAV7A1 standard. Improvements were made to the engine, transmission and the overall maintainability of the vehicle. The Cummins VT400 diesel engine replaced the GM 8V53T.

Enhanced Applique Armor Kits (EAAK) were produced for the AAV-7A1 beginning in 1991 and ending in 1993, providing protection against penetration from small arms fire up to 14.5 mm caliber as well as 155 mm artillery fragments.

In 1997 BAE Systems was awarded a contract encompassing all AAV systems and components to return the AAV to the original vehicle's performance specifications and ensure acceptable readiness. Assault Amphibious Vehicle Reliability, Availability, Maintainability/Rebuild to Standard (AAV RAM/RS) program replaced both the AAV engine and suspension with US Army M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV) components modified for the AAV.

Another improvement was added starting in 1987 in the form of a Cadillac Gage weapon station or Up-Gunned Weapon Station (UGWS).

In March 2015, SAIC was awarded a contract to perform an AAV Survivability Upgrade (SU). Marine Corps and SAIC officials unveiled the AAV SU prototype in January 2016, with survivability enhancements including replacing the angled EAAK with 49 advanced buoyant ceramic armor panels, a bonded spall liner, armor-protected external fuel tanks, an aluminum armor underbelly providing Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP)-equivalent blast protection, and blast mitigating seats as well as a more powerful engine, new suspension system, and increased reserve buoyancy. The AAV SU program was intended to upgrade 392 vehicles to keep them operational through 2035 as the ACV gradually entered service. In August 2017, the Marine Corps awarded SAIC a low-rate initial production for 21 vehicle upgrades. However, in August 2018 the Marine Corps terminated the AAV upgrade program, citing other budgetary priorities.

In 2021, the United States Marine Corps started to install the M153 Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS) on their AAVP-7A1s. The M153 CROWS is a stabilized mount that contains a sensor suite and fire control software. It allows on-the-move target acquisition and first-burst target engagement. Capable of target engagement under day and night conditions, the CROWS sensor suite includes a daytime video camera, thermal camera and laser rangefinder. It can be fitted with the Mk-19 grenade launcher, M2 .50 Caliber Machine Gun, or M240B Medium Machine Gun. File:AAV Survivability Upgrade (SU).jpg|AAV Survivability Upgrade (SU) File:The Future of Amphibious Warfare - AAV SUP.webm|A USMC officer in 2016 explaining the features of the since-cancelled AAV Survivability Upgrade File:AAVP-7A1 equipped with CROWS.jpg|AAVP-7A1 with a CROWS

Service history

Twenty U.S.-built LVTP-7s were used by Argentina during the 1982 invasion of the Falkland Islands with most returning to the Argentine mainland before the war ended.

From 1982 to 1984, LVTP-7s were deployed with U.S. Marines as part of the multi-national peacekeeping force in Beirut, Lebanon. As Marines became increasingly involved in hostilities, several vehicles sustained minor damage from shrapnel and small arms fire.

On October 25, 1983 U.S. Marine LVTP-7s conducted a highly successful amphibious landing on the island of Grenada as part of Operation Urgent Fury.

It was heavily used in the 1991 Gulf War and Operation Restore Hope.

After the 2003 invasion of Iraq, AAV-7A1s were criticized for providing poor protection for the crew and passengers compared with other vehicles, such as the M2 Bradley. Eight were disabled or destroyed during the Battle of Nasiriyah, where they faced RPG, mortar, tank and artillery fire. At least one vehicle was hit by fire from friendly A-10 Warthog aircraft.

On 3 August 2005, 14 U.S. Marines and their Iraqi interpreter were killed when their AAV struck a roadside bomb in the city of Haditha in the Euphrates river valley in western Iraq.

During the 2010 Rio de Janeiro security crisis, the Brazilian Naval Fusiliers used AAV-7A1s in support of their operations to occupy the Complexo da Penha and Complexo do Alemão favelas, where the vehicles were used to clear barricades left by the Red Command.

Eight U.S. Marines and one U.S. Navy sailor died on 30 July 2020, when their AAV sank in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Clemente Island, California, during a training exercise, ahead of an upcoming deployment. As a result of the incident, on 15 December 2021 the U.S. Marine Corps announced that it has banned its fleet of amphibious armored personnel carriers from maritime operations except in emergencies.

In May 2025, the U.S. Marine Corps retired the AAV-P7/A1 from active service.

Replacement attempts

Cancelled: Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle

Renamed from the Advanced Assault Amphibious Vehicle in late 2003, the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) was designed to replace the aging AAV. Able to transport a full Marine rifle squad to shore from an amphibious assault ship beyond the horizon with three times the speed in water and about twice the armor of the AAV, and superior firepower as well it was the Marine Corps' number one priority ground weapon system acquisition. The EFV was intended for deployment in 2015. However, in 2011, United States Defense Secretary Robert Gates cancelled the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle.

Replacement: Amphibious Combat Vehicle

In June 2018, the Marine Corps announced they had selected the BAE Systems/Iveco wheeled SuperAV for the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) program to supplement and ultimately replace the AAV.

Variants

• LVTP-7: Original series introduced from 1972. Originally armed with a M85 12.7 mm (.50cal) machine gun.
• LVTP-7A1: 1982 upgraded. Renamed to AAVP-7A1 from 1984.
  • AAVP-7A1 (Personnel): This is the most common AAV, as it carries a turret equipped with an M2HB 12.7 mm (.50 caliber) heavy machine gun, and a Mk19 40 mm automatic grenade launcher. It carries four crew radios as well as the AN/VIC-2 intercom system. It is capable of carrying 21 combat equipped Marines in addition to the crew of 4: driver, crew chief/vehicle commander, gunner, and rear crewman.
  • AAVC-7A1 (Command): This vehicle does not have a turret, and much of the cargo space of the vehicle is occupied by communications equipment. This version only has two crew radios, and in addition to the VIC-2, it also carries two VRC-92s, a VRC-89, a PRC-103 UHF radio, a MRC-83 HF radio and the MSQ internetworking system used to control the various radios. This AAV has a crew of 3, and additionally carries 5 radio operators, 3 staff members, and 2 commanding officers. Recently, the C7 has been upgraded to use Harris Falcon II class radios, specifically the PRC-117 for VHF/UHF/SATCOM, and the PRC-150 for HF.
  • AAVR-7A1 (Recovery): This vehicle also does not have a turret. The R7 is considered the "wrecker", as it has a crane as well as most tools and equipment needed for field repairs. It is by far the heaviest of the three, and sits considerably lower in the water. Crew of three, plus the repairmen.

Many P7s have been modified to carry the Mk 154 MCLC, or Mine Clearance Line Charge. The MCLC kit can fire three linear demolition charges to breach a lane through a minefield. MCLCs were used in the 1991 Persian Gulf War and again in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.

In the 1970s, the U.S. Army used an LVTP-7 as the basis for their Mobile Test Unit (MTU), a ground-based high-energy anti-aircraft laser. After several successful test firings at Redstone Army Arsenal, the laser was reportedly transferred to NASA.

Foreign Variants

• KAAV7A1: KAAV7A1 amphibious vehicle series based on AAV-7A1 by Samsung Techwin (now Hanwha Defense) and BAE systems developed and manufactured in South Korea by Samsung Techwin.

Training systems

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) under the Virtual Training and Environments (VIRTE) program, led by then LCDR Dylan Schmorrow, developed a prototype training system called the AAV Turret Trainer. The system consists of an actual surplus turret mounted with ISMT (Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer) weapons firing on a projected screen displaying the VIRTE Virtual Environment. A total of 15 systems were produced for the USMC and one system for Taiwan.

File:Early prototype of the AAV Turret Trainer.jpg|Early pre-production prototype of the AAV TT File:AAVs preparing to debark USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44).jpg|Well deck with AAVs File:AAV-Nsry.jpg|A USMC AAV destroyed near Nasiriyah in 2003 File:US Navy 090425-N-4879G-393 A group of multinational amphibious assault vehicles from the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) deploy smoke to cover their landing during a simulated amphibious landing demonstration.jpg|Landing force demonstration File:Amphibious Assault Vehicles fire smoke grenades.jpg|USMC AAVs firing smoke grenades during a training exercise

Operators

Current

• Argentina: Naval Infantry Command originally received 21 vehicles (19 LVTP-7, 1 LVTC-7 and 1 LVTR-7), 11 of them (9 LVTP-7, 1 LVTC-7 and 1 LVTR-7) were upgraded locally by MECATROL with Caterpillar C7 diesel engines and minor changes to running gear and other components
• Brazil: Brazilian Marine Corps has 49
• Greece: 76 will be procured for use with the Hellenic Marine Corps of the Hellenic Navy
• Indonesia: 15 in service with the Indonesian Marine Corps; donated by South Korea.
• Italy: Due to be replaced by the Italian Marines.
• Japan: Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade has 58 (46 personnel, 6 command and 6 recovery) After a period of testing 6 AAVP-7A1s, Japan on 7 April 2016 announced it would purchase 30 systems. Vehicles are AAV7A1 Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability/Rebuild to Standard (RAM/RS) versions, with a more powerful engine and drive train and an upgraded suspension system, providing improved mobility, command, control and repair capabilities. Deliveries to take place in mid to late 2017.
• Philippines: Philippine Marine Corps All 8 AAV vehicles that have arrived in the Philippines are part of a PHP2.42 billion (USD46 million) contract that was signed between the Philippine government and South Korean defence firm Hanwha Techwin in April 2016.
• Romania: 307th Marine Infantry Regiment Romania purchased 21 AAV-7A1 in three configurations: AAVP-7A1, AAVC-7A1, AAVR-7A1. The vehicles will enter service with the naval infantry.
• Taiwan: Republic of China Marine Corps has 90 (78 personnel, 8 command and 4 recovery) and 1 AAV Turret Trainer.
• Spain: 19 (16 personnel, 2 command and 1 recovery)
• South Korea: Republic of Korea Marine Corps 61 as of 2011 (personnel, command and recovery).
• Thailand: 12 as of 2011.
• Venezuela: Venezuelan Marine Corps

Former Operators

• United States: United States Marine Corps retired 26 September 2025

Notes

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