U.S. Marines Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle Is Coming

The U.S. Marine Corps badly needs a replacement for its rapidly-aging Light Armored Vehicle.
The Marine Corps is on the hunt for a reconnaissance vehicle that would be able to replace their LAV-25, the Light Armored Vehicle that initially entered service with the Marine Corps in the early 1980s.
The LAV has a lot to offer. It is amphibious, sports a 25-millimeter Bushmaster autocannon, and can transport six fully-equipped Marines and three crew members. Still, the vehicle is quickly approaching forty years old and is in some ways a throwback to Cold War-era planning.
Photo/Thumbnail by: Textron Systems
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[@schlirf]

Just one former CAV Scout's opinion, but if a few crusty Marine Corps Colonels and Generals don't step up, the Jarheads will be stuck with a ye olde Government Mule. Good hunting guys, Scouts Out!

[@bennuredjedi]

Whatever they do please do not loose the medium caliber autocannon even if they swap the lav 25 turret onto the new platform. Keep and enhance that capability

[@stephenmyers7076]

They really got screwed. They should be driving the EFV but the bean counting SOBs forced them to drop it.

[@movieviewing]

It’s ridiculous looking at a different vehicle for reconnaissance when just purchased the bae amphibious combat vehicle. They are practically the same vehicle. You might as well have the bae version but put extra sensors, communication, sensors and other equipment to have a reconnaissance version. This will help with keeping costs down along with such as logistics and maintaining down as would be two separate vehicles. It could be argued that the marine lav was needed some recon due to the marines at time had the Assault Amphibious Vehicle which was tracked and generally not suited to recon ops. However with the failure of the Assault Amphibious Vehicle replacement program of the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle and then the marine decision to go with bae amphibious combat vehicle it doesn’t make sense to have a slightly smaller version of the same type of vehicle doing the same thing. Some of you may argue the vehicle has to be smaller as it’s for recon but with modern equipment the slightly smaller size is not going to keep it less detachable. With the bae version can have a fair amount of space for equipment for recon. With recon vehicles it doesn’t have same protection as well. From lessons learned when recon vehicles been deployed to place like Afghan they got destroyed and unsafe for soldiers where suddenly not used after too many deaths. That was dealing with insurgents not even a near pear force

[@reedrk88t]

Uh, ssssoooo you're telling DoD how to spend defense money? I'm curious how much you actually know what goes into these platforms......anything?

[@anon457]

@@reedrk88t A whole lot of political ass grabbing and a lot of palm greasing, they're are plenty of decisions that are made not because they are the most cost effective or better in general, but because of who is offering the most money to the right politicians. Everything he stated above is true and makes complete sense, just because these politicians are in office doesn't mean they know more than the next guy.

[@mh3225]

The MPC is the size of a house and its extremely heavy. An actual, purpose built recce vehicle will be smaller, lighter, and faster.....meaning it does reconnaissance...ya know...its job....better.

[@kolinmartz]

So you’re asking them to repeat the army’s mistake with using the Bradley in multiple divergent roles.

[@jamison884]

I agree the USMC armor and vehicle/fire support program appears to be convoluted or at least confused and inefficient at this specific time. If replacing the LAV then the minimum goal should be a clear improvement in EVERY major area (and in some cases, adding new capabilities the LAV lacks completely), and this modern unit would require better: lethality, sensors (color video, day/night infrared), survivability (I believe all new armor should have active protection systems to defeat most ATGMs), cargo/man space (fit a full USMC squad - see how below), communications (data link), easy user controls, power generation (to allow for future tech expansion and potential energy weapons), ISR (onboard deployable small drone(s) with color video, infrared, range finder, laser designation), electronic warfare (detection of enemy ISR, directed radar jamming, ATGM sensor warning/jamming, enemy electronic signal detection), and mobility (more on this below). Given the USMC's new mission of going back to amphibious roots and dropping their Abrams, a platform capable of increased fire support and lethality is very important and it absolutely needs to cover numerous variants to develop focused mission types. In particular, a platform that can truly excel in configurations for electronics warfare, anti-drone/UAV, anti-aircraft/helicopter, missile defense, missile offense (anti-ship and perhaps even anti-artillery), and anti-armor. I can see keeping the new ACV series for its designed goal of performing amphibious landing operations and then replacing the LAV with a design that's focused on doing everything else exceptionally well which can only be accomplished by ditching that ACV water-travel capability. If you design an armored vehicle to replace the USMC LAV inventory and specifically state this new armor doesn't need to float in the ocean, it would theoretically free up design space when ditching the ship to shore aspect. This new space and a bit larger design than the LAV should allow the vehicle to reach a better range of default capabilities such as carrying a full USMC squad, launching small drones, integrating a high level of base lethality, and expanding upon survivability. It would have the capability to carry a USMC squad in a majority of variants, but I also believe there should be a few variants that only carry the crew members in exchange for specialized capability (added firepower) in order to make up for the lost Abrams firepower. Four new extremely useful variants which wouldn't carry a squad would be: 1. An energy-based weapon, such as a 150 kW laser (theoretically even more if a second engine is installed to generate power for the laser and store it via large batteries) mounted to kill UAVs, drones swarms in the air/water, and perhaps even numerous unmanned ground vehicles, since the US is working on unmanned ground vehicles armed with pretty heavy weapons, so I imagine China is too. 2. A variant that is willing to drop all other secondary weapons to add some significantly sized missiles (the Naval Strike Missile or a ground-launched cruise missile) with a launcher to fire off four to eight missiles per vehicle and carry at least one extra set of missiles for one reload in the field without joining up with logistics vehicles. The USMC with the capability of a mobile missile launcher within miles of the shoreline to either attack in-land forces or counter-attacks from any direction (including enemy ships and amphibious forces such as landing craft) would be a huge deal. Imagine a potential enemy destroyer on its way to fend off a USMC landing or otherwise beyond the horizon providing naval gun support and missile launches against the USMC after their recent amphibious operation. If that ship had to worry about USN ships, USN/USAF jets and helicopters, missile attacks from the direction of ocean-based assets, and USN submarines, the addition of a mobile ground-based USMC anti-ship missile launcher firing a supersonic sea-skimming missile just beyond the horizon at close ranges would simply be devastating for them. As an example, many current long-range missiles would reportedly not be able to attack an enemy target if there is a land mass or island in between the launch source and the target (for example, a sea-skimming anti-ship missile fired from the east side of Taiwan to a target in the Taiwan Strait on the west coast of Taiwan); if a sea-skimming missile could be launched from a USMC mobile launcher based in Taiwan in this example, that added potential threat would complicate matters for anything found in the Strait itself, even if they launched attacks with missiles/bombs/shells at known assets on the island nation. 3. A variant with the largest indirect cannon possible that requires minimal deployment (such as hydraulic-based stabilization feet) prior to firing, so essentially a mortar carrier variant with the mortar replaced by a highly elevated 105mm+ artillery gun (ideally 155mm) using guided shells/rocket-assisted shells that can be fired and maneuver based on laser or GPS guidance and deployed fins to have them capable of landing on small moving targets (at the speed of most boats/landing craft/ships, so around 25 knots). 4. A variant exclusively focused on drones. I see a model which would be lightly armored outside of the crew compartment to allow for more space and the ability to haul more internal weight. The driver and commander/gunner (just two crew) would each have a drone-control station along with their normal station of driving/vehicle sensors and video feeds, and a commander video screen with an integrated defensive gunner position. When the vehicle isn't on the move and ready to deploy drones, they would be able to view both of their respective terminals to monitor their direct vehicle and its defense, while providing commands to each of their drone platforms on the other terminal. This wouldn't just carry small top-mounted aerial drones which would be more of the autonomous ISR variety, but at least one larger VTOL-based weapon-carrying drone in the cargo compartment, and then either a second VTOL aerial drone -or- an unmanned ground vehicle/unmanned surface vessel/unmanned underwater vessel. If the USMC is 100% into their amphibious role, their drone package integrated into their equipment list should integrate mobile drone capabilities that don't solely rely on the air. The water-based drones would be able to handle low to medium sea states, but their mission set would be primed to take control of rivers, bays, and harbors. If it were up to me, I'd specifically focus on fielding the light armor with a base capability of mobility and firepower effective in the desert and jungle extremes, and then I'd specifically study the most likely combat environment they will encounter if they need to fight the most likely aggressors: China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran for the most part. Since the USMC is focused on amphibious operations once again, I believe they will run into a lot of elevation change and full-on mountains just miles from the shore in North Korea, most islands by default will have at least one mountain peal as they formed geologically, and Taiwan is pretty mountainous itself (for potential defense there). Given the new ACV series is wheeled and not tracked and the Abrams is gone, the USMC currently has little mobility if those wheeled vehicles can't maneuver in certain terrain types. In particular, extreme elevation changes may benefit from a set of tracks, so perhaps a tracked fighting vehicle that ditches the requirement to swim in the ocean, and focuses on traversing elevation changes, would be the best bet to replace the LAV. Whatever they do, China is coming pretty hard with some heavy weapons, particularly their missile technology and even amphibious vehicles designed to start shelling the shore with 105mm or larger guns firing while moving towards the beaches. The USMC needs a series of vehicles in various focused configurations that has the firepower to equal and beat such potential enemy firepower, particularly since they lost their Abrams firepower. I hope some true USMC leadership steps up and takes a look at the whole picture and plans specifically for the next 25-35 years and the likely scenarios these future armored vehicles will be facing, rather than trying to simply go through the motions and replace the LAV merely due to the LAV becoming too old to continue. I believe the base functionality of a 25mm autocannon (35mm minimum is ideal in my mind, particularly as that appears to be the ammunition the USN is converting over to), along with a co-axial medium MG, and a secondary weapon system to focus on specific threats (jets/helicopters/UAVs - drones and drone swarms in the air or in the water - enemy IFVs/APCs/MBTs/light tanks/self-propelled artillery/MRLS - landing craft/boats/ships).

[@jammiedodger7040]

IFVs are also going up calibre to 40mm-45mm-50mm

[@trumanhw]

I think 30mm is fine. Virtually nothing but a tank is rated for anything over 25mm if I'm not mistaken. And the weight penalty for that STANAG rating is over double. It's the sweet spot for the amount of ammo vs efficacy IMO.

[@gianpaolovillani6321]

The Lav-25 is a beautiful military vehicle, I want it to remain operational for many more decades, and never need to be replaced from the new military vehicle.

[@comxion]

I’m looking forward to seeing the new ‘pentagon wars’ movie based on this ;)

[@Jordan-em2yg]

Naked truth !!!

[@v13r3r]

Tbf "Pentagon Wars" didn't go down like the movie. For example: The program came under budget and there was always going to be a turret as it was a response to the BMP. But it sure was a fun movie

[@Aunggyi257]

Chinese and Russian anti tank weapons :What did you say bro?

[@REB4444]

Instead of trying to up-armor to the point where it can't float, add moderate armor AND a light Active Protection System that is currently available.

[@themosthighofthisrealm]

All you got to do is make up a five rotation Mount javelin on a circle whenever fire firing it can switch to the next javelin

[@saul890]

Nice

[@gabrielvazquez1691]

So... How many more decades of Contractors and officials fighting before they get this project instilled in operations and then to be completely outdated?

[@MH5XXXX]

What about a version of a STRYKER??

[@corey8420]

The next "LAV" will be armed with the General Dynamics 50MM auto cannon.

[@southernknight9983]

How about the TAPV, from the same company?

[@frankthompson6503]

Look how light the turret armour is

[@hikarihikari4501]

Only if this beauty gets delivered earlier, our Taliban bois could have it on a great demonstration for American taxpayers, shame

[@frankthompson6503]

Heavy armour around the chassis. Nontheless it needs more armour around the turret hatch and engine.

[@gordonmusic1631]

Need the vehicle on aliens movie

[@1701Larry]

OK------------ What ever vehicle the Marines pick has to be equipped with the new 50mm gun that has the range to knock out gun positions and other vehicles beyond the enemies range to knock out the MARV as it approaches beaches or enemy patrol boats far out to sea as they push between the Thousands of Islands the future battlefield in the SCS will have.

[@frankthompson6503]

Listen get heavy armour on all hatches with light advanced technology for to stop drone's attacking from above. Leaving a navy ship slows the vehicle down. Open for drone's which are hovering high above to strike with different types of amunition.

[@petermallia558]

2.21 - 2.45 The Cottonmouth actually looks like a Cottonmouth snake from the front and at an angle. 🐍

[@Epsilon434]

Despite literally just adopting the BAE ACV, and it being smaller in terms of weapons and what appears to be a lower number of troops carried within (seeing how it is a 3x3 and not a 4x4), I have to admit Cottonmouth is a pretty badass name, since it is named after one of the most venomous snakes in the US.

[@davidkrappenschitz4753]

Not even close. It literally looks like a modified upgraded LAV300 which was developed and manufactured by Textron. The BAE ACV is enhanced design based on USMC specification of IVECO SuperAV 8x8 and it already has a 6x6 aka 3x3 version which was developed to fulfill a customer requirement and Brazil got the rights to produce the 6x6 version of Iveco SuperAV its called Guarani.

[@ragedmayhem1]

Marines needs something better. Working with those guys in Ramada and Fallujah. They hardly took their LAV out. We always brought our Bradley's and tanks.

[@fredcollins8919]

Just make it faster, more ágile, more powerful (engine) rugged reliable better armoured & with various diff weapons systems Including 7.62mm miniGuns (gatling), various diff current NATO ATGMs like HOT, Milan, TOW III, Hellfire, NLAW, Javelin, Predator, Panzerfaust 3, Strellas, M3/M4 Carl Gustavs, & SPIKE LRs (Israel), among others.....and camouflage upgrades (Esp for megacrucial forest/jungle terrain/environments).....

[@phil20_20]

Why don't they just use a 37mm autocannon? Melt down all the old brass in inventory, and put them in a caseless cartridge.

[@Socialistdemon]

3:46 Burger who?

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They could refurb a whole fleet of BTR 80s for next to nothing.

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It's already here....fyi.

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If only the Stryker could fill this role...!!!

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Taiwan freedom and democracy fighter Zeng Shengguang died fighting for human freedom and democracy in Ukraine. I implore God to accept his soul. When human freedom and democracy participate in the war, Taiwan and allied countries in Europe and the United States should give freedom fighter medals to express their remembrance and remember them forever.Always remember and miss the freedom fighter Taiwan Zeng Shengguang 。

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Gah. Narrator pronounced the p in Corps!

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[@josephpiskac2781]

Is the current vehicle what was introduced as the BRADLEY? Really the fact that an acceptable replacement cannot be found speaks poorly for the United States as a whole.

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As a “whole”? So the average American is somehow responsible?

[@josephpiskac2781]

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[@coryhoggatt7691]

As a largely foot mobile force, the Marine Corps has never needed an armored reconnaissance vehicle.

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Iraqi freedom fighters the Kurdish lands fighters not USA troops.pnm.

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Copy from Russia tank Joe

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