Fuel Efficiency Improvements for Amphibious Vehicles

The ACV1.1 program will deliver a modernized expeditionary assault vehicle, incorporating ship-to-shore swim capability for the most volatile mission scenarios, replacing the aging AAV fleet and filling the requirement gap left by the previously cancelled developmental program for the EFV. The ability of ACV to traverse the beach and project force inland once ashore is critical to meeting the Expeditionary Force 21 directive. Unique to the ACV is the addition of ballistic and blast protection technologies, increasing vehicle survivability and occupant protection with an associated impact on vehicle weight, mobility, and mission performance requiring additional horsepower. GS Engineering, Inc. has an established history of technology development and optimization of vehicle systems for similar tactical ground vehicle applications. This includes full rate production contracts for ongoing build activities and depot level resets of lightweight SBIR technologies. With experience ranging from automated terrain characterization feeding multiple downstream vehicle systems, to selective component redesign for light-weighting, GS Engineering will apply the same aggressive and innovative design approach coupled with similar technology impact assessment methodologies to bring forward an integrated ACV Fuel Efficiency Kit that achieves the Marine Corps goals of 10-15% fuel usage reduction in a cost effective commercially viable solution.