Role

The standard infantry variant of the U.S. Marine Corps amphibious armoured personnel carrier AAV-P7A1 fitted with the Enhanced Appliqué Armor Kit (EAAK). The base LVT-7 was developed by FMC Corporation in the early 1970s as a replacement for the LVT-5 and was adopted in 1972. Between 1983 and 1986 the entire fleet passed through the Service Life Extension Programme (SLEP), emerging as the AAVP-7A1 — new Cummins VTA-525 engine (525 hp), redesigned suspension and transmission. The EAAK kit consists of removable ceramic tiles on an aluminium backing, mounted over the hull; it raises protection from anti-fragmentation level to defeating 14.5 mm rounds at 300 m. The kit was installed across the fleet from the early 1990s. From 1985 the vehicles carry the remotely controlled UGWS (Up-Gunned Weapon Station) turret with a 12.7 mm M2HB heavy machine gun and a 40 mm Mk 19 automatic grenade launcher. The vehicle is amphibious — it crosses water obstacles via two stern waterjets and launches from the well deck of an amphibious assault ship. It carries 3 crew plus 21 combat-equipped infantry. The AAVP-7A1 saw service in every USMC operation since the 1980s (Grenada, Lebanon, Panama, Desert Storm, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan). In 2025 the AAV-P7A1 was officially retired by the USMC and replaced by the ACV-30 (BAE Systems, 8×8). It remains in service with 14 other countries.

Specifications

• Combat mass 25.7 t (with EAAK)
• Hull length 7.94 m
• Width 3.27 m
• Height 3.31 m (over UGWS)
• Ground clearance 0.41 m
• Crew 3 + 21 pers. (crew + troops)
• Chassis original (FMC) (on LVT components)
• Engine Cummins VTA-525M · 525 hp diesel
• Power-to-weight 20.4 hp/t
• Max speed (road) 72 km/h
• Max speed (afloat) 13 km/h
• Waterborne propulsion two waterjets
• Operational range 480 km
• Armament UGWS station (M2HB + Mk 19)
• Machine gun 12.7 mm M2HB (1 200 rounds)
• Grenade launcher 40 mm Mk 19 Mod 3 (864 grenades)
• Armour EAAK · 14.5 mm at 300 m (ceramic on aluminium)
• Troop capacity 21 pers. fully equipped
• Deployment rear ramp + 2 hatches
• Ship launch via well deck (LHA / LHD / LSD)

Модификации

Operators