Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle
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The Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) is the newest USMC amphibious vehicle, intended for deployment in 2010. It was renamed from the Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle in late 2003.
The designed is an amphibious armored personnel carrier; launched at sea, from an amphibious assault ship beyond the horizon, able to transport a full Marine rifle squad to shore. It will maneuver cross country with an agility and mobility equal to or greater than the M1 Abrams.
The EFV is designed to replace the aging AAV, and is the Marine Corps' number one priority ground weapon system acquisition. It has three times the speed in water and about twice the armor of the AAV.
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[edit] Background
In the 1980s the Marine corps developed an "over the horizon" strategy for ocean based assaults. The intention was to protect naval ships from enemy mines and shore defenses. It included the MV-22 Osprey, the Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC), and the EFV.
[edit] Design
The General Dynamics Land Systems EFV is an amphibious armored tracked vehicle with an aluminum hull. The engine is a custom MTU Friedrichshafen diesel (MT883)[1] with two modes of operation; a high power mode for planing over the sea, and a low power mode for land travel.
The hull has a hydraulically actuated bow flap to aid planing. Shrouded Honeywell waterjet propulsors are integrated into each side of the hull and hydraulically actuated chines cover the tracks while in seafaring mode.
The aluminum hull has caused some controversy due to protection and flammability concerns. It is vulnerable to most armor piercing weapons and ignited aluminum produces toxic fumes. However, aluminum hulls have been used for decades in military ground vehicles and boats. The rear loading ramp is not able to open while the vehicle is afloat. This is also typical of other swimming military ground vehicles. For example, the M113 is another armored military ground vehicle the US currently is using that swims. It also has an aluminum hull, and its rear ramp cannot open while the vehicle is afloat.
It has a crew of three and can transport 17 Marines and their equipment.
There is a Command Platform version with secure command and control electronics (and seven work stations), but lacking the 30mm cannon.
[edit] Armament
It is fitted with composite armor, mine-blast protection, and a nuclear, biological and chemical defense system (NBC). The standard version also has the venerable Bushmaster II 30 mm Cannon.
Other features;
- 7.62 mm Machine Gun (1, coaxial)
- Smoke / Gas Dispensers (32)
- Rear Troop Hatch
- Top Troop Hatches (2)
- Reinforced Crew Compartment
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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