Dec. 14, 2016 / 4:42 PM

BAE rolls out first Amphibious Combat Vehicle 1.1 prototype

The roll out marks the first of 16 planned deliveries for the new vehicle. Photo courtesy BAE Systems

The roll out marks the first of 16 planned deliveries for the new vehicle. Photo courtesy BAE Systems

YORK, Pa., Dec. 14 (UPI) -- BAE Systems rolled out the first Amphibious Combat Vehicle 1.1 prototype developed for the U.S. Marine Corps.

The Amphibious Combat Vehicle 1.1, or ACV 1.1, is designed to provide armored transport for infantry personnel traveling from a ship to a shore. BAE Systems says the 8x8 wheeled vehicle is combines open-ocean amphibious capabilities with land mobility. The company is under a $103.7 million contract to deliver 16 prototypes to the Marines.

"BAE Systems has a long-standing legacy of supporting the Marine Corps' amphibious mission," program director John Swift said in a press release. "That expertise, coupled with the hard work of our dedicated ACV team, has allowed us to deliver the first of these vehicles ahead of schedule."

The ACV 1.1 features a 700HP engine, and is capable of seating 13 Marines. The company says the design provides improved all-terrain mobility compared with the Assault Amphibious Vehicle it is meant to replace.

"As the Marine Corps begins testing we are confident that the capabilities of these vehicles will be proven," Swift said.

BAE Systems initially received the contract to develop the new vehicles in November 2015. The Marine Corps expects to begin testing the the prototypes in the first quarter of 2017.

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