Description:
The AAV7A1, formerly known as LVTP7, was designed to meet the requirements of the USMC for an armored, amphibious, fully tracked, assault vehicle. The AAV7A1 replaced the LVTP5 amphibious assault vehicle.
The AAV7A1 can transport troops and cargo from ship to shore. It is powered by a single 400-hp turbocharged diesel V8 engine and two water jet pumps providing a cruising speed of 7 knots at sea and 72 km/h on road. The AAV7 survivability can be increased through add-on armor and the use of a 12.7mm machine gun and 40mm grenade launcher.
Under the RAM/RS (Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability/Rebuild to Standard) program some AAV7A1 will be powered with a 525-hp diesel engine and the suspension will be replaced with the M2 Bradley's suspension. The RAM/RS upgrade program intends to ensure the availability of the AA7 vehicles until they are replaced by the AAAV advanced amphibious assault vehicles.
The AAVC7A1 has been designed to carry out command and control tasks at water or in land during amphibious operations involving the AAV7 vehicles. This vehicle also functions as a communications node between forward deployed forces and US navy ships. It is equipped with 5 radio operator stations, 3 staff stations and two master stations. It carries a 7.62mm machine gun for self-defense purposes.
The AAV7 vehicles can be upgraded to the RAM/RS (Reliability, Availability and Maintainability/Rebuild to Standard) configuration which turns conventional AAV7 hulls into highly mobile machines transporting cargo and troops from ship to shore. The US Marine Corps completed the RAM/RS remanufacturing program in 2006. The modification work was done by United Defense, now a BAE Systems subsidiary. RAM/RS was originally designed to encompass a more powerful turbocharged diesel engine and power train and a Bradley Combat System suspension, providing superior durability and maintainability.
Specifications Accommodation: Crew 3, Passengers 10
Guns: Main Gun Caliber 7.62 mm
Weights: Max Weight 23,023 kg (50,756 lb), Min Weight 21,000 kg (46,296 lb), Payload 4,536 kg (10,000 lb)
Performance: Cruise Speed 13 mps (26 kt), Max Range 483 km (261 nm), Top Speed 20 mps (39 kt)
Brazil
Italy
South Korea
Taiwan
United States of America