By now you've all heard that BAE and SAIC won a contract to perform survivability upgrades to the AAV. Quite honestly I can't cheer. This is looong overdue. More to the point though. I think the Marine Corps needs the Marine Personnel Carrier (I refuse to call it the dorky name of Amphibious Combat Vehicle Increment 1.1. You can't rebrand a failed program and make it successful)
Budget realities and choices by leadership has consequences.
We desperately need it but the Marine Corps has sold its soul to the F-35 and MV-22. They're expensive beyond reason. Difficult AND expensive to maintain....and will be a drain on budgets for years. So while I believe we need the MPC, I don't think we'll get it.
That means a massive upgrade to the AAV.
Expect the major players to be scrambling for a piece of that contract. Lockheed Martin Ground, BAE, SAIC, General Dynamics...I even expect Rheinmetall, Patria and a few others to join a home team to offer their bits and widgets to the design.
The AAV. The longest serving armored vehicle in the history of the United States military. At least it will be by the time its retired.
