U.S. Marines' Amphibious Combat Vehicles Get Upgraded 30mm Cannons

The U.S. Marines are gunning for something lighter to crown its forthcoming line of amphibious combat vehicles. A report issued earlier in May by Marine Corps Systems Command indicated that plans are to arm the new vehicles with a lighter version of Stryker 30mm cannons, used widely in the U.S. Army. Here’s the story behind the selection.

The Specs Focus On Accuracy

US Marine amphibious combat vehicle parked on road

BAE, the company contracted to manufacture the new amphibious units, informed the Marine Corp. that the Styker variation they plan to use is an adaptation of the Kongsberg medium caliber turret (MCT-30) to outfit the new vehicles.

According to Kongsberg spec sheets, the MCT-30 is designed for accuracy and can accommodate tracked and wheeled vehicles. The cannon is fired remotely from a protected area inside the vehicle, while turret access and reloading can take place under its armor. The system can also compute a wide array of factors like lead angle, tilt and vehicular motion to ensure greater firing accuracy from distances up to 1.8 miles.

Increased Versatility Accommodates An Array Of Needs

The turret can also be modified to suit specific client requests, such as switching to a 40mm cannon and its system can be configured to accommodate both single and dual users. Other options include such add-ons as anti-tank missiles as well as shot detection and laser warning systems. BAE stated that the Kongsberg MCT-30 turret it chose was a version of the Stryker, although the company admitted that it had to modify the turret’s base design to ensure it was a fit with an amphibious vehicle.

Delivery Expected In 3 Years

Marines amphibious combat vehicle hits the beach

BAE said it expects that the new amphibious machines will be ready by 2023 and will start the first phase of integrating the turret with the rest of the vehicle’s design in 2021. The ACV with the MCT-30 is one of three variants the Marine Corp. decided in 2019 it wanted to add to its fleet. Other ACVs on the drawing board include one vehicle designed for a command and control configuration and another focusing on maintenance and recovery setups.