NAVALFORCES

AAV7A1

Amphibious Assault Vehicles

for Naval Infantry
BAE Systems

by M Hanif Ismail

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
General Dynamics Land Systems

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 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

MOWAG
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.
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

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. A variant of the BMP-3, the BMP-3F, is
depending on specific customer requirements. its primary weapons. As secondary weapon, designed for operations at sea, and is claimed
One unique feature of the ACC-E and ACC-R the BTR-90 is equipped with a 30mm AG-17 to have improved seaworthiness and
is the ability to transition from water-to-land automatic grenade launcher and a 7.62mm buoyancy. The BMP-3F is said to be able to
or land-to-water configurations in five PKTM coaxial machinegun. It can carry 500 stay afloat for seven hours, and can fire its
seconds. This feature is highly desirable from 30mm rounds, four missiles, 400 30mm VOG- main armament at sea state 2. Greece has
the standpoint of military littoral, riverine or 17M grenades and 2,000 7.62mm rounds. ordered around 415 units of the BMP-3M and
maritime special operations. The BMD-3 is a highly manoeuvrable tracked 35 units of BMP-3F. Indonesia was also
Gibbs Technologies was founded in New light armoured amphibious vehicle. The BMD-3 reported to have placed an order for 20 units
Zealand in 1996, and initial amphibian concept can travel at a speed of up to 70km/h on land of BMP-3F.
was undertaken soon after that in 1997 and and 10km/h in water. In terms of armament,
1998 in Detroit. In 2006, Gibbs Technologies this vehicle shares a high commonality with Chinese Developments
won a US Department of Defense Foreign the BTR-90. Like the BTR-90, the BMD-3 is China also has several new armoured vehicle
Comparative Test contract for evaluation of equipped with a 30mm 2A42 automatic cannon designs that feature amphibious capabilities.
HSA technologies for military purposes, and and a 9K113 or 9K113M (Konkurs-M) anti-tank The ZBD2000 is a fully amphibious armoured
in February 2007, the company announced that guided missile system as its primary weapons. vehicle that looks to succeed the ZTS63A
they have agreed to jointly develop a family of As secondary weapon, the BTR-90 is (Type 63A) amphibious tank currently in
high-speed amphibians for military operations equipped with a 30mm AG-17 automatic service with the PLA Marine Corps. Three
with Lockheed Martin. The vehicles are grenade launcher and a 7.62mm PKTM coaxial versions have been identified, a version armed
currently under development, and production machinegun. It can carry 500 30mm rounds, with a 105mm gun, a version armed with a
has illustrated the flexibility of the technology, four missiles (9K113) or two missiles (9K113M), 30mm cannon and an anti-tank guided missile
which will enable highly mobile, widely 290 30mm VOG-17M grenades and 2,000 system and lastly an armoured logistic vehicle
dispersed operations at long ranges. 7.62mm rounds. version. The ZBD97 is another new
BMP-3 is one of the best-armed armoured development, a tracked amphibious armoured
Russian Developments personnel carriers available on the market vehicle that features a BMP-3 style turret. Two
The Russians have a number of amphibious today. The vehicle can travel at a speed of up versions have been identified, an infantry
armoured vehicles in service and available for to 70km/h on land and 10km/h in water. In terms fighting vehicle with a 100mm and a 30mm
export. Among them are the BTR-90, BMD-3 of armament, the BMP-3 is equipped with a coaxial gun, and an armoured recovery vehicle
and BMP-3. 100mm 2A70 main gun/anti-tank guided missile version. Besides the new vehicle designs, the
The BTR-90 is an armoured personnel launcher and a 30mm 2A72 automatic cannon PLA also has several upgrade programmes
carrier designed to transport troops and cargo as its primary weapons. The BMP-3 is also for its older Type 86 IFV and Type 63 APC to
as well as provide fire support on the equipped with three 7.62mm PKT machineguns. increase their amphibious capabilities.
battlefield. The BTR-90 features independent It can carry 40 100mm rounds, eight 9K117
torsion bar suspension, and can travel up to a bastion anti-tank guided missiles, 500 30mm Prospects for Asian Countries
A number of Asian countries have long
coastlines, which prompted the development
of their own naval infantry units. However,
most of these naval infantry units are only
equipped with obsolete or near obsolete
equipment such as the BTR-50P APC, PT-76
light tanks, LVTP-5 and LVTH-6. A few like the
Republic of Korea and the Royal Thai Marines
have relatively modern AAV7A1, but as in the
case with the adoption of EFV by the US
Marine Corps, these too will have to be
replaced or upgraded in the near future. Thus,
modern amphibious assault vehicles such as
the EFV, Piranha IIIC, and BMP-3F will have a
bright prospect in Asia in the upcoming years
as these naval infantry units found their
current amphibious assault assets
increasingly unable to cope with the harsh
demands of modern amphibious warfare.„

30 z ADJ June 2008