Armed Forces News

Two contractors won the competition to build the Marine Corps’ next-generation amphibious combat vehicle. BAE Systems Land and Armaments L.P., and SAIC will receive $103.8 million and $121.5 million respectively, to build the first prototypes of the vehicle, the service announced Nov. 24. The initial vehicles will represent ” the first phase of eventually replacing the [assault amphibious vehicle] with a truly amphibious, armor-protected personnel carrier to support the infantry ashore,” Col. John B. Atkinson, director of the Quantico, Va.-based Fires and Maneuver Division, said. The new vehicle would be easier to repair, provide better resistance to mines, and offer significant improvements in maneuverability and mobility. Ultimately, one manufacturer will be chosen to produce the vehicle, which should be ready to join the fleet by 2020.