Story Number: NNS070507-05
Release Date: 5/7/2007 8:13:00 AM


By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Riza Caparros, Fleet Public
Affairs Center Atlantic

NORFOLK (NNS) -- A prototype of the newest Expeditionary Fighting
Vehicle (EFV) was introduced to DoD leaders and key personnel during an
orientation event, May 2, at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek.

The EFV is designed to replace the amphibious assault vehicle (AAV),
which has been used by the Marine Corps since 1972. The EFV will enable
the Navy and Marine Corps team to project power from the sea base to
exploit intervening sea and land terrain and achieve surprise.

“To me, the overall main benefit is the better firepower and the armor,”
said Staff Sgt. William Becker, EFV test engineer, Amphibious Vehicle
Test Branch, Camp Pendleton, Calif. “We can do 25 nautical mile sea
objective maneuvers, 25 nautical miles over the horizon and then move
inland approximately 200 miles on only one tank of fuel.”

During the four-hour orientation, participants experienced riding in the
EFV during a high-water speed demonstration. They were also given a ride
in the sand when the Marines introduced the vehicle’s cross-country
mobility with maneuvers on the beach.

Cpl. Thomas Elliot, vehicle commander also from the amphibious vehicle
test branch at Camp Pendleton, said it was an honor to show the
participants all the capabilities of the vehicle.

“It was a lot of fun to show them where their hard work and money has
gone,” said Elliot. “Every one of them had nothing but positive insight
and comments after experiencing the ride on the water and on land.”

Becker described some ways the EFV benefits the Marine Corps.

“The EFV’s aluminum hull and custom two-mode diesel engine adds
protection over the sea and on land that Marines did not have with the
AAV.”

EFV crew chief, Cpl. Christian Cruz, added the towing power and speed of
the new vehicle will make a big difference once it sees battle.

“We’re able to carry 17 combat-loaded Marines,” said Cruz. “On land it
does 45 miles per hour and in high-motor speed mode it does
approximately 25-30 knots. The AAV can only reach up to seven knots in
the water.”

Cruz also highlighted the EFV’s firepower.

“There is a .50-caliber gun and a Mark-19 on the AAV, on the EFV we have
a MK44 Mod 1 30 mm automatic cannon,” he added. “With that firepower, we
can engage targets and carry out our mission feeling relatively safe.”

“To me, the overall main benefit is the better firepower, the armor and
the specimen of the vehicle -- it looks a lot bigger, so it is a more
intimidating vehicle to the enemy,” said Becker.

Becker expressed his desire to see the EFV program move forward.

“We’re continuously testing the EFV’s capabilities, said Becker. “Every
day we’re finding new things to add or change with the current design to
make it the machine it is meant to be.”

Full-rate production of the EFV is scheduled for no later than 2020.