2d Amtrac Battalion Hangs Up its Tracks
Earlier this year, the Marines’ 2d Assault Amphibian Battalion received its first new 32-ton Amphibious Combat Vehicles. Based on the Italian Iveco SuperAV, the Marines plan to buy 632 of these big 8x8s to replace the Corps’ 1,300-odd remaining circa 1970s tracked AAVP-7 variants.
The new ACV. This is the P transport variant. About a half of the ACVs will carry either a stabilized dual-mount M2/Mark 19 grenade launcher turret in a support role or a 30mm Mk44 Bushmaster II (XM813) chain gun in a fighting role (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Leo Amaro)
The legacy AAVP7. “AAV7A1 assault amphibious vehicles transport Marines with 2d Assault Amphibian Battalion and 1st Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment, both with 2d Marine Division, for a wet-gap amphibious crossing as part of a company-sized infiltration on Camp Lejeune, N.C., Aug. 10, 2021. The infiltration focused on maneuvering across complex terrain and picket lines with near-peer capabilities in an unscripted force-on-force scenario. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacqueline C. Arre)
While the AAV is as tall as a house and can carry two dozen uncomfortably, it also does it slowly and with a terrible safety record, giving the ACV, which can only carry 13 passengers but make 65 mph on roadways, a bright shining ray of hope.
The 2d AABn just completed the first amphibious combat vehicle crewmember course on Camp Lejeune, making the redesigation official this week.
U.S. Marines and instructors with 2d Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2d Marine Division, pose for a photo upon completion of the first amphibious combat vehicle crewmember course on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, March 28, 2025. The crewmembers are tasked with the operation and maintenance of the Marine Corps next-generation amphibious combat vehicle platform in support of 2d MARDIV. (U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration by Lance Cpl. Frank Sepulveda Torres)