Marine Corps Retires AAV After 50 Years, Despite ACV's Teething Issues
The Marine Corps has officially retired the Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV) after over five decades of service. The AAV, introduced in 1972, has been replaced by the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV). The AAV, developed by FMC Corporation (later United Defense Industries), first saw action in 1972. It provided Marines with enhanced mobility, armor protection, and speed to engage and seize objectives. It replaced the Landing Vehicle, Tracked (LVT), which was used in World War II, including the Guadalcanal campaign in 1942. In 2018, the decision was made to retire the AAV and transition to the more modern ACV. However, this change has not been without challenges. The ACV has faced issues such as tow rope problems and rollovers since its introduction in 2024. Despite these setbacks, the ACV made its overseas debut in May 2024. The retirement of the AAV comes after a tragic incident in 2020, where eight Marines and a sailor lost their lives when their AAV sank during an exercise off the coast of California. This incident led to the firing of Maj. Gen. Robert Castellvi, the Inspector General of the Marine Corps, due to failures in training. The AAV's legacy is intertwined with the Marines who operated it, as noted by Col. Lynn Berendsen, commander of the Assault Amphibian School. After over 50 years of service, the AAV has been decommissioned, marking the end of an era for the Marine Corps.
