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 AAVP7A1 is designed for troops and cargo transport like the US Army M2 Bradley.
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 21
Guns: Main Gun Caliber 12.70 mm
Weights: Max Weight 27,560 kg (60,758 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)