Role

The Survivability Upgrade (SU) programme was the USMC effort to extend the service life of the AAV-7A1 to 2035 as a transitional platform between the EAAK fleet and the all-new ACV. In March 2015 SAIC was awarded a contract to develop the SU kit; in August 2017 a Low Rate Initial Production for 21 vehicles followed. The SU package replaced the angled EAAK plates with 49 buoyant ceramic panels with a bonded spall liner, added an aluminium V-hull belly plate at MRAP-equivalent protection against mines and IEDs, armoured external fuel tanks, blast-mitigating seats for the crew and the embarked Marines, a new Cummins QSC 8.3 engine (675 hp versus the original 525), a redesigned suspension and an increased reserve buoyancy. The programme initially intended to upgrade 392 vehicles. In September 2018 the USMC formally cancelled the programme, citing budget priorities and the decision to focus on the ACV-30 (8×8 BAE Systems) successor. The 21 prototypes were not transferred to operational units. The outer contour and silhouette are practically identical to the AAVP-7A1 EAAK (the differences are inside the hull and in the underbelly projection).

Specifications

• Combat mass ≈ 28.5 t (with SU kit)
• Hull length 7.94 m
• Width 3.27 m
• Height 3.31 m (over UGWS)
• Crew 3 + 21 pers. (with blast seats)
• Chassis original (FMC) (SU V-hull reinforcement)
• Engine Cummins QSC 8.3 · 675 hp diesel
• Power-to-weight 23.7 hp/t
• Suspension redesigned (SU programme)
• Max speed (road) ≈ 72 km/h
• Max speed (afloat) ≈ 13 km/h
• Reserve buoyancy increased (new buoyant panels)
• Side armour 49 ceramic panels (spall liner)
• Underbelly armour aluminium V-plate (MRAP level)
• Fuel tanks armoured external
• Seats blast-mitigating (crew and troops)
• Armament UGWS station (M2HB + Mk 19)
• Troop capacity 21 pers.
• Original plan 392 vehicles (cancelled)
• LRIP batch 21 prototypes

Модификации

Operators