Marine Corps Evaluates Automated Navigation Capability on Next-Generation Amphibious Combat Vehicle Prototype

Summary

The U.S. Marine Corps conducted its first water-based testing of prototype vehicles competing to replace the aging Light Armored Vehicle fleet, with trials taking place in January and February 2024 at Camp Pendleton, California. Both competing manufacturers, General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) and Textron Systems, subjected their respective prototypes of the future Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) to a range of aquatic evaluations, including swim courses, high-speed water entry, and turret movement drills. A notable feature being evaluated is GDLS's "autotrim function," which operates similarly to cruise control and aircraft autopilot, allowing the vehicle to automatically maintain a set heading in water and reduce the cognitive burden on crew members so they can focus on the battlefield. Water safety received particular attention during testing, including a bilge pump demonstration where the vehicle was intentionally flooded and safety sensors automatically expelled the water, a direct response to lessons learned from the deadly 2020 assault amphibious vehicle sinking that claimed nine lives. The competition between GDLS and Textron is expected to conclude with a single manufacturer being selected around 2030, with both companies set to receive contracts for 16 additional prototypes in the near term to support continued testing.