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U.S. Extends SDD Phase of Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle

Jul 27, 2005 09:05 EDT
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Contracts - Modifications, Forces - Marines, General Dynamics, New Systems Tech, Policy - Procurement, R&D - Contracted, Tanks & Mechanized, Testing & Evaluation, Transformation
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AAAV/ EFV, swim mode
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General Dynamics Amphibious Systems in Woodbridge, VA received a $42.9 million cost-reimbursable addition to a previously awarded contract (N67854-01-C-0001) to extend the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle’s systems development and demonstration (SDD) phase. Full-up system live fire testing will be included. General Dynamics will provide all required materials, services, personnel and facilities to complete the design and development of the EFV, perform studies and analyses, manufacture and test all SDD prototypes, prepare for production, initiate logistics support of the EFV, and successfully complete the SDD phase.

The USMC intends to replace their AAV Amtracs with the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle. As noted in a previous DID article, the EFV is the top land acquisition priority of the U.S. Marine Corps, with a number of new capabilities…

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EFV Features
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The EFV is expected to have a water speed of more than 20 knots – three times that of the AAV-7s – and a land speed of about 45 miles per hour. That would be comparable to the land speed of an AAV RAM/RS, and enable the EFV to keep up with the USMC’s M1 Abrams tanks.

The personnel version will have a high-tech weapons station with an ATK 30mm MK 44 Bushmaster cannon to replace the AAV’s .50 caliber machine gun, and carry a crew of three plus 17 combat-loaded Marines. A command vehicle will carry an array of communications and computer systems and staff personnel, and all EFVs will be equipped with a new upgradeable embedded computing architecture that addresses obsolescence.

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EFV on land
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The Marines hope to buy 1,013 EFVs to replace 1,322 AAVs, and the EFV remains the U.S. Marines’ #1 vehicle priority. The program is using a number of improved project management and procurement innovations, and full up System Level Lethality testing is planned to begin in FY 2006. Low-rate initial production vehicles would be delivered in FY 2007 and FY 2008 for use during Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E), Initial Operational Capability (IOC) is scheduled to occur in FY 2008, and Full Operational Capability (FOC) will occur in FY 2018.

As one can see from this schedule, however, it is possible that further upgrades and/or life-extension programs may be required for the AAV fleet beyond those currently anticipated.

Work on this contract will be performed in Virginia (21.22%); Indiana (12.47%); Germany (10.47%); Michigan (8.87%); North Carolina (6.81%); California (5.31%); Ohio (5.21%); Washington (5.20%); Maryland (4.38%); Minnesota (4.38%); Colorado (2.95%); Canada (2.53%); Illinois (2.37%); Arizona (1.07%); New York (0.87%); Alabama (0.54%); Florida (0.48%); Georgia (0.14%); Texas (0.13%); and undetermined (4.61%). Work is expected to be completed by September 2009.

The Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, VA issued the contract addition.

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