Assault Amphibious Vehicle

The Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV)—official designation AAVP-7A1 (formerly known as Landing Vehicle, Tracked, Personnel-7 abbr. LVTP-7)—is a fully tracked amphibious landing vehicle manufactured by BAE Systems Platforms & Services (previously by United Defense, a former division of FMC Corporation).

The AAV-P7/A1 is the current amphibious troop transport of the United States Marine Corps. It is used by U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Assault Battalions to land the surface assault elements of the landing force and their equipment in a single lift from assault shipping during amphibious operations to inland objectives and to conduct mechanized operations and related combat support in subsequent mechanized operations ashore. It is also operated by other forces. Marines call them "amtracs", a shortening of their original designation, "amphibious tractor".

In June 2018, the Marine Corps announced they had selected the BAE Systems/Iveco wheeled SuperAV for the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) program to supplement and ultimately replace the AAV.

The U.S. Marine Corps became interested in replacing the LVTP-5 due to its limited range, slow water speed and the difficulty of maintaining the aging platform. In 1964, the Marine Corps solicited proposals to replace meet its requirement. The Marine Corps selected a proposal by FMC. FMC delivered the first of 15 prototypes, designated LVTPX12, in October 1967. Marine Corps testing concluded in September 1969. In June 1970, the Marine Corps awarded FMC a $78.5 million contract for the production of 942 vehicles.

The first production models were delivered in August 1971 and the first units became operational in March 1972. In 1977, FMC was contracted to convert 14 LVTP-7 vehicles to prototype LVTP-7A1 configuration. This became the AAV7A1, and from 1982 to 1984 all LVTP-7s were converted to AAV7A1 standard. Improvements were made to the engine, transmission and the overall maintainability of the vehicle. The Cummins VT400 diesel engine replaced the GM 8V53T.

Enhanced Applique Armor Kits (EAAK) were produced for the AAV-7A1 beginning in 1991 and ending in 1993, providing protection against penetration from small arms fire up to 14.5 mm caliber as well as 155 mm artillery fragments.

In 1997 BAE Systems was awarded a contract encompassing all AAV systems and components to return the AAV to the original vehicle's performance specifications and ensure acceptable readiness. Assault Amphibious Vehicle Reliability, Availability, Maintainability/Rebuild to Standard (AAV RAM/RS) program replaced both the AAV engine and suspension with US Army M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV) components modified for the AAV.

Another improvement was added starting in 1987 in the form of a Cadillac Gage weapon station or Up-Gunned Weapon Station (UGWS).