{"id":31541,"date":"2023-03-31T13:21:32","date_gmt":"2023-03-31T13:21:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2023\/03\/31\/top-marine-acknowledges-mechanical-issues-with-new-amphibious-vehicles\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T21:07:06","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T21:07:06","slug":"top-marine-acknowledges-mechanical-issues-with-new-amphibious-vehicles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/news\/your-marine-corps\/2023\/03\/31\/top-marine-acknowledges-mechanical-issues-with-new-amphibious-vehicles\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Marine acknowledges mechanical issues with new amphibious vehicles"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Marine Corps\u2019 top officer said Tuesday the service is working through \u201ca few notable challenges\u201d in fielding its amphibious combat vehicle, including several mechanical issues and a training deficiency that he said led to last year\u2019s string of mishaps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The two main mechanical issues with the ACV both involve parts related to the vehicle\u2019s wheels, \u201cone with the struts \/ shock absorbers and the other with the central tire inflation system,\u201d Marine Commandant Gen. David Berger said in written testimony submitted to the Senate Appropriations Committee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shock absorber is part of the vehicle\u2019s strut system, according to Garrett Lacaillade, vice president of amphibious programs at BAE Systems, which manufactures the vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Central tire inflation systems allow vehicle operators to adjust pressure levels in the tires as the vehicle crosses different terrain, Lacaillade said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBoth issues have caused part failures, resulting in a decrease in reliability and a corresponding decrease in readiness,\u201d Berger said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ACV can travel both on water and on land \u2014 via wheels, unlike its tracked predecessor, the amphibious assault vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Berger also noted \u201cissues related to possible water incursion into the power train,\u201d the system of internal components that includes the engine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Marine Corps is working with BAE Systems to resolve these issues, Berger said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs we continue fielding ACVs, a modern, highly-survivable amphibious capability to the Fleet Marine Forces, the readiness and safety of Marines are always our top priority,\u201d Lacaillade said in a statement Wednesday to Marine Corps Times. \u201cWe will continue partnering closely with the U.S. Marine Corps to deliver the safest, most capable platform for our Nation\u2019s Marines.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lacaillade referred Marine Corps Times to the Marine Corps for more information from a safety report on the mechanical issues. Marine Corps Times is in the process of requesting the report, which was unavailable as of publication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2022, the Marine Corps placed temporary restrictions<\/a> on operating amphibious combat vehicles in the surf after training mishaps in July<\/a> and October<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The July mishap, in which one vehicle flipped over and another became disabled, occurred during unusually high wave conditions that resulted from a storm in the southern hemisphere, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. No Marines were injured in the incidents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAccording to BAE Systems and confirmed by our safety investigations, these rollovers were caused by a lever effect generated when the vehicle becomes parallel to the surf-line and is struck by a large wave,\u201d Berger stated Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese events were, in large part, the product of training shortfalls,\u201d the commandant added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, the Marine Corps fired the commander of the Assault Amphibian School<\/a>, which trains Marines to operate amphibious vehicles, following information that emerged during an investigation into the October mishap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Capt. Phil Parker, Training Command spokesperson, told Marine Corps Times at the time that the relief of the commander, Col. John Medeiros Jr., wasn\u2019t a result of misconduct or criminal negligence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Berger added in his testimony Tuesday that the Corps is working to improve its training for Marines operating the ACV, which he noted was \u201cnew and more sophisticated.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Berger\u2019s explanation for the rollovers echoes what the Marine Corps amphibious combat vehicle program manager told Marine Corps Times in September: there is a learning curve in adjusting from the amphibious assault vehicle to the amphibious combat vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\t