USMC Looks Ahead to New Generation of Expeditionary Fighting Vehicles

Daily Tech ^ | May 7, 2010 | Michael Barkoviak

[decimon]

Marines have high hopes for new EFVs, even if they've been met with criticism

The United States Marine Corps hopes to usher in a new era of multi-million dollar vehicles with its recent unveiling of the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) earlier in the week.

Military officials expect the faster, more dynamic EFV will replace the USMC's older amphibious assault vehicles. The EFV can travel more than 40 mph on land and 23 to 29 mph while in the water. It also has a 30mm day/night weapons system and better design to pinpoint IEDs and RPGs, which is "vitally important," according to the Marine Corps Times.

[decimon]

[Tarpon]

I saw a video of them rushing around in the surf, driving up the beaches, pretty impressive.

Of course they might need ships to get them there ...

[WayneS]

It looks like someone welded a lid and a turret on to a 1960s/70s vintage DUCK.

;-)

[Paladin2]

Will we see these at the Wisconsin Dells soon?

[Jonah Hex]

OK, now let's see what happens when folks start bolting on add-on armor/frag kits/slat/underbelly protection/etc. ...

[decimon]

OK, now let's see what happens when folks start bolting on add-on armor/frag kits/slat/underbelly protection/etc. ...

Then they'll have a submarine EFV.

[BlueLancer]

"Will we see these at the Wisconsin Dells soon?"

Oh, man, it's been 50 years since my grandparents took me to the Wisoonsin Dells ...

I'd forgotten about the DUKWs.

[BlueLancer]

Wisoonsin?

Wisoonsin?

Uh ... Wisconsin ...

[GreyFriar]

That “1960s/70s vintage DUCK” you remember was actually a 1943-45 vintage DUKW. A six-wheel drive amphibous truck designed by GM. And as for their rarity, I drove past one yesterday afternoon on 14th Street in the center of Washington, DC. It was driving to its passanger pickup point to get folks for a tour of the Potomac River.

[oh8eleven]

USMC Looks Ahead to New Generation of Expeditionary Fighting Vehicles
It's the Marines who actually do the fighting, not the vehicles.
Have been to the MC Museum twice - outstanding.
Semper Fi ...

[Damifino]

23 to 29 mph while in the water

I can't see this thing doing 29 mph in water over 10" deep. Is this a misprint?

[decimon]

I can't see this thing doing 29 mph in water over 10" deep. Is this a misprint?

Dunno. That is a good clip for something that looks like a self-propelled dumpster.

[Jonah Hex]

Nope, saw that capability demonstrated at San Diego. Front and rear splash plates go down, hydrojets crank up, and the thing starts planing at a pretty good clip.

[WayneS]

Thanks.

1960s/70s is when, as a kid, I used to see them running around the Amphib Base in Va. Beach, still in active service. But, as you point out, they are a LOT older than that.

[WayneS]

Okay... NOW it doesn’t look anything like a DUKW!

[WayneS]

It's the Marines who actually do the fighting, not the vehicles.

You are correct. But the acronym for "Vehicle With Which to Make Expeditions for the Purpose of Fighting", VWWMEPF, just doesn't roll off the tongue the way "EFV" does.

;-)

[Damifino]

WOW! Impressive! That giant sucking sound you hear isn’t hydrojets - it’s the fuel pumps. Still amazing though.

[decimon]

...the thing starts planing at a pretty good clip.

Planing? That might be a bit of a stretch. ;-)

[Jonah Hex]

True, but it reminds me of what the Marines used to say about the F-4 Phantom:

"An example of the principle that, with enough power, even a brick can fly."

;-)

[Florida_Freeper]

I helped build the fuel tanks and level sensor devices for the (7) test vehicles! /pats back