The U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) selects 30 mm cannon Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV-30) is slated to be outfitted with Kongsberg’s Protector Medium Caliber Turret. MCT-30 is a remote weapon station developed for wheeled and tracked armoured fighting vehicles and its main weapon is the XM813 30 mm Mk44 Bushmaster chain gun. The ACV-30 integrates a 30mm cannon to provide the lethality and protection the Marines need while leaving ample room for troop capacity and payload. The contract calls for the design and development of the command (ACV-C) and the 30mm medium caliber cannon (ACV-30) variants.
BAE Systems, along with teammate Iveco Defence Vehicles, has been awarded a $67 million contract modification by the U.S. Marine Corps to develop new variants for the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) Family of Vehicles programme. BAE Systems was previously awarded a low-rate initial production contract in June 2018 for the personnel variant (ACV-P). The US Marine Corps announced the ACV had successfully completed anticipated requirements testing and would no longer be pursuing an envisioned incremental ACV 1.1 and ACV 1.2 development approach. The programme is now known as the ACV Family of Vehicles, which encompasses the breadth and depth of the vehicle’s capabilities and multiple variants.
The MCT-30 Protector Medium Caliber Turret is a remote weapon station developed for wheeled and tracked armored fighting vehicles. Developed and manufactured by Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, the MCT-30 has a modular construction, featuring varying levels of armored protection, optional sighting equipment and the ability to mount varying calibre (25 to 50mm) chain-guns. The Mk44 fires the complete Orbital ATK family of 30 x 173mm ammunition, including the ability to program and fire the Mk310 Air Burst Munition. The PROTECTOR MCT-30 has been presented on all the major manufacturers 8×8 fighting vehicles and some tracked vehicle. It’s in service on the Patria AMV and GDLS Stryker 8×8.
In 2015, the US Army decided to upgrade a portion of the STRYKER Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV) fleet with a 30mm automatic cannon. The first STRYKER DRAGOON equipped with the Kongsberg Protector MCT-30 turret was delivered to the US Army in Europe in December 2017. The MCT (Medium Calibre Turret) as incorporated on the STRYKER carries a 30mm Mk 44 BUSHMASTER chaingun. In addition to the main gun, the turret mounts a coaxial 7.62 machine gun and a roof-mounted second machine gun. Alternately to the roof-mounted MG, the PROTECTOR MCT can be equipped with a secondary remote weapon station (RWS) such as the Kongsberg PROTECTOR CROWS. Optional supplementary armament includes Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missile.
