Latest version of Marine Corps' amphibious fighting vehicles has new name

[thedrifter]

Latest version of Marine Corps' amphibious fighting vehicles has new name
Submitted by: Headquarters Marine Corps
Story Identification Number: 200391255659
Story by Staff Sgt. Cindy Fisher



WOODBRIDGE, Va. (Sept. 10, 2003) -- The Marine Corps' newest expeditionary asset is the latest in a series of vehicles that began with the Roebling Alligator in 1932. The new vehicle, formerly known as the Advanced Assault Amphibious Vehicle, was renamed the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle in a ceremony at the Worth Avenue Technology Center in Woodbridge Sept. 10.

In the 20th century, the Corps' focus was on amphibious operations, but the 21st century focus is shifting to expeditionary operations, said Lt. Gen. Emil R. Bedard, the Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies, and Operations, Headquarters, Marine Corps, during his speech at the renaming ceremony. Changing the name of the vehicle reflects this cultural change in the Marine Corps' warfighting concepts.

The predecessor to the EFV, the Assault Amphibian Vehicle, has been in service for almost 40 years. The vehicle, which was originally fielded in 1972, has been overhauled and upgraded numerous times throughout its career but a 1988 Mission Area Analysis determined that it was deficient to meet the Corps' needs in areas such as water and land speed, firepower, armor protection and system survivability. The EFV will exceed the capabilities of the current amphibian and better serve the Marine Corps in future combat arenas, said Charles M. Hall, president of General Dynamics Land Systems, which was awarded the contract to develop and demonstrate the vehicle in February 2001.

The EFV is expected to exceed the water speed of the AAV by three times, have a land mobility equal to or greater than an M1A1 tank, have increased survivability features than the AAV, provide command and control capabilities to subordinate, adjacent and higher units, and provide nuclear, biological and chemical protection for its crew and accompanying troops.

This name change more accurately reflects, "the transformational technologies and capabilities of the EFV and will underscore the broadened employment concepts and possibilities across the spectrum of conflict," said Gen. Michael W. Hagee, Commandant of the Marine Corps, in a letter to the Direct Reporting Program Manager of the EFV program.

The name change does not change the program's status. It entered the system development and demonstration phase of the acquisition cycle in December 2000. Since receiving the SSD contract, General Dynamics Land Systems subsidiary General Dynamics Amphibious Systems has been fabricating and testing the second generation of the vehicle. They have completed three and will build a total of nine of the second generation prototypes and one live-fire test vehicle at the Worth Center facility. They will also develop the low-rate initial production design.

This is a long-term program and a third generation of the EFV will be developed before it is fielded, said Col. Clayton F. Nans, the direct reporting program manager of the AAV Technology Center. "We expect to begin fielding the EFV in fiscal year 2008."



WOODBRIDGE, Va. - The Advanced Assault Amphibious Vehicle was renamed the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle in a ceremony at the Worth Avenue Technology Center in Woodbridge Sept. 10. The christening of the vehicle reflected both Navy and Marine Corps traditions. To honor the past and look to the future, retired Maj. J.T. Rutherford, a veteran of World War II and four-time representative from Texas, and Lance Cpls. Edward J. Castleberry and Kenneth D. Koonce, both veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom, christened the vehicle. In keeping with naval tradition, two bottles of water were broken against the ship; the water from one bottle coming from the Pacific Ocean, and the other from the Atlantic Ocean.
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Cindy Fisher




WOODBRIDGE, Va. - The colors are presented during the opening portion of the ceremony that renamed the Advanced Assault Amphibious Vehicle. The vehicle was renamed the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle at the Worth Avenue Technology Center in Woodbridge Sept. 10. The name change more accurately portrays the capabilities of the vehicle, said Col. Clayton F. Nans, direct reporting program manager of the Advanced Amphibian Assault Technology Center. Afterall, "a rose by any other name still smells like burnt oil and diesel fuel."
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Cindy Fisher


Sempers,

Roger