NAVALFORCES AAV7A1 Amphibious Assault Vehicles for Naval Infantry by M Hanif Ismail BAE Systems An amphibious landing of infantry troops on a own tracks or wheels to provide traction in firepower and protection for amphibious beachhead is one of the most complex military the water, and only a few are equipped with landings. The EFV has the ability to be manoeuvres in the modern era of warfare. more effective means such as propellers or launched from 20-25 nautical miles out at sea The complexity comes from coordinating all water jets. ADJ looks at a number of modern and transport troops, its crew of three and 17 the various components of an amphibious amphibious assault vehicles currently in combat-ready marines, to shore at speeds in landing to come together in a very smooth and service and under development. excess of 37km/h, which is three times the precise manner. A modern amphibious landing speed of AAVP7-A1. Because of its high brings together a number of military specialties, General Dynamics Land Systems speed, good firepower and protection, the EFV such as air support, naval gunfire, specialised Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle will provide the US Marine Corps with the equipment like air cushion vehicles, as well as Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle or EFV is a new elements of flexibility and tactical surprise, personnel trained in amphibious landings amphibious assault vehicle from General which is crucial to establish battlefield which require extensive planning and training Dynamics. EFV, previously known as dominance. Its good cross-country mobility for all components involved. Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle also ensures that the EFV can support the Amphibious assault is one component of (AAAV), is designed to replace the AAVP7- landing force far beyond the initial amphibious landing that has been somewhat A1 currently in service with the US Marine beachheads, and take the fight further inland. neglected by most armed forces in the recent Corps as well as a number of users abroad. The EFV is equipped with a retractable years. This is because only a number of armed EFV is designed to achieve several hydropneumatic suspension system, two water forces have marines or naval infantry parameters, namely high water speed, good jets for water propulsion, and can travel at a branches and those that have, only have them cross-country mobility, as well as adequate speed of up to 72km/h on land and 46km/h in in small numbers. Thus, the need to have water. In terms of armament, the EFV is dedicated amphibious assault vehicles is equipped with a 30mm Bushmaster Mk 44 gun somewhat lower on the priority list than the as its primary weapon, and a 7.62mm need to have more conventional assets such machinegun as its secondary weapon. It can as tanks, frigates and fighters. carry 600 30mm rounds, and 2,400 7.62mm Many armoured vehicles currently in service rounds, both ready and stowed. In terms of with the armed forces around the world have protection, the EFV is designed to withstand limited amphibious capabilities that can be hits from 14.5mm AP rounds and 155mm utilised. However, most of these armoured artillery shrapnel. The EFV is currently under vehicles are not built to travel in water for development for the US Marine Corps, and low long periods of time or for a ship-to-shore rate initial production (LRIP) is projected to Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle journey. Most armoured vehicles utilise their General Dynamics Land Systems begin in 2011. 28 z ADJ June 2008 BAE Systems’ Assault Amphibious MOWAG’s Piranha IIIC Piranha IIIC Vehicle AAV7A1 The Piranha family is one of AAV7A1 is a proven amphibious assault the most popular armoured vehicle from BAE Systems, Ground Systems vehicles in service today. Division. The AAV7 was first introduced in The Piranha III from MOWAG 1984. The vehicle is very rugged, and has very GmbH features modular good mobility for transporting troops and cargo design, power pack in front, from ship-to-shore. Members of the AAV7A1 large useable volume at the family of vehicles include the AAVC7A1 rear for weapon stations, Command Vehicle, the AAVP7A1 Personnel troops and cargo, and Vehicle, and the AAVR7A1 Recovery Vehicle. central driveline system. The AAV7A1 features torsion bar suspension, and features are identical two 14,000-gpm water jet pumps that enable throughout all versions of the AAV7A1 a cruising speed of 13km/h, as the family, and this includes well as the ability to negotiate 10-foot plunging amphibious capability. MOWAG surfs heading either to shore or seaward. On Piranha IIIC is a fully land, the AAV7A1 can travel at a speed of up amphibious version of the Piranha III, designed from 2009 to 2014. The Brazilian Marines have to 72km/h. In terms of armament, the AAV7A1 for seawater operation and has a good cross- also ordered 12 units in two batches (7+5), is equipped with a 50-calibre/Mk 19 40mm country mobility on land. with the latest order announced on Dec 7, grenade launcher weapon station as its The Piranha IIIC features independent wheel 2007. The US Marine Corps uses the Light primary weapon. suspension, with coil springs and control arms Armoured Vehicle (LAV), which are based on In 1998, BAE Systems was chosen to take in front and torsion bars at the rear, two the Piranha family of vehicles. In February part in the AAV7A1 Reliability, Availability and propellers for water propulsion and can travel 2006, General Dynamics was awarded a Maintainability/Rebuild to Standard (RAM/RS) at a speed of up to 100km/h on land and 10km/ contract to produce 157 LAV-A2 in six different Programme. BAE Systems’ role was to provide h in water. In terms of armament, the Piranha variants for the US Marine Corps. The LAV-A2 manufacturing and logistics support in the IIIC features a 25mm M242 chain gun with is an updated version of the LAV series, which manufacturing and design of modified RAM/ thermal imaging as its primary weapon and a are in service since the 1980s. The LAV-A2 RS hulls to the US Marine Corps’ logistic bases. 7.62mm M240 coaxial machinegun as its features upgraded suspension, fitted for Among improvements for the RAM/RS version secondary weapon. The Piranha IIIC can carry enhanced armour protection as well as of the AAV7A1 are a Bradley Fighting Vehicle 240 25mm rounds, and 400 7.62mm rounds. automatic fire suppression for crew suspension, and a more powerful 525hp The vehicle can fire on the move or while protection. First delivery of the LAV-A2 was turbocharged diesel engine and power train. swimming. The Piranha IIIC is also equipped on Oct 12, 2007. Increased commonality with the Bradley with eight 76mm smoke and fragmentation Fighting Vehicle enables improved grenade launchers. The amphibious kit includes Lockheed Martin/Gibbs Technologies’ maintainability for the RAM/RS AAV7A1s. a seawater cooling system, bilge pumps, Amphibious Combat Craft Before the RAM/RS programme, the AAV7A1 closable louvres of engine grills, automatically Lockheed Martin and Gibbs Technologies have is equipped with 400hp turbocharged diesel operated trim vanes and steering control of agreed to work together to develop a family of V-8 engines. The AAV7A1 is currently in the twin rudders. new, high-speed amphibious vehicles. The service with a number of marine units around The Piranha IIIC has been ordered for the militarised High Speed Amphibians (HSAs) are the world including the US Marine Corps, Royal Spanish and Brazilian Marines. The Spanish designed around technologies used in a fleet Thai Marines, Spanish Marines, Republic of Marines have ordered 39 units in two batches of prototype amphibious vehicles developed Korea Marines and the Italian Lagunari and (18+21), which will be manufactured in by Gibbs Technologies for civil use, including San Marco regiments. Kreuzlingen, Switzerland and will be delivered the Gibbs Quadski, an amphibious all terrain vehicle, Gibbs Humdinga, a four-wheel military Humdinga, a four-wheel military vehicle vehicle and the Gibbs Aquada, a three-person sports car. Lockheed Martin and Gibbs Technologies are developing three new concept amphibians, the Amphibious Combat Craft-Expeditionary (ACC-E), the Amphibious Combat Craft-Riverine (ACC-R) and the Terraquad. Amphibious Combat Craft-Expeditionary Photos: Lockheed Martin/Gibbs Technologies Photos: Lockheed Martin/Gibbs ADJ June 2008 z 29 NAVALFORCES Two of the concept craft look to be capable Vehicle Maker Max weight Max speed Range Crew/ of filling the role as amphibious assault tonnes (land/water) km/h (land) km Troop vehicles, the ACC-E, which is a 20-foot, four wheeled amphibian capable of 128km/h on land EFV General Dynamics 34.4 72/46 523 3/17 and 64km/h in water, and the ACC-R, a six wheeled, 35-foot amphibian capable of 112km/ Piranha IIIC MOWAG 22 100/10 750 3/10 h on land and 64km/h in water. The hull is designed to be aerodynamic in road mode and BMP-3 Kurganmashzavod JSC 18.7 70/10 600 3/7 hydrodynamic in marine mode. The military version will have a network capability to share speed of 100km/h on land and 9km/h in water. rounds, and 2,000 7.62mm rounds. The vehicle and distribute information from on-board and In terms of armament, the BTR-90 is equipped can cross water at up to sea state 3 and the remote sensors, and the craft will be able to with a 30mm 2A42 automatic cannon and a vehicle can fire its main armament at sea state accommodate a variety of weapon systems, Konkurs-M anti-tank guided missile system as 1.