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General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) has completed testing of its Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV).
Test locations from January to November 2023 included the Nevada Automotive Test Center (NATC), U.S. Army Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, and Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.
General Dynamics Land Systems’ ARV capability is designed to serve as the Marine Corps’ “quarterback” on the mobile and multi-domain battlefield. It connects to an array of onboard and off-board sensors, plus uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) and, in the future, ground and water robotic systems. The GDLS design ensures growth margins and modular open architecture to rapidly incorporate new technology as it develops. It also incorporates the company’s Next Generation Electronic Architecture, enabling artificial intelligence functionality and control of robotic systems.
The Marine Corps-directed tests and demonstrations in 2023 included: Command, Control, Communications and Computer/Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C4/UAS); land and water mobility; and blast and kinetic tests, as well as cyber and electromagnetic interference (EMI) assessments.
A closely monitored aspect of testing involved ocean swim mobility and surf zone transition of littoral beach areas. To this end, GDLS has incorporated next-generation swim propulsion, vectored thrust and water safety systems to enable swim operations in likely Marine Corps operational areas around the globe.
“The testing and demonstration activities last year helped us collect the data to ensure we can meet and exceed the Marine Corps’ requirements for ARV,” said Richard Trotter, ARV Program Director at General Dynamics Land Systems. “We are confident we can achieve key performance requirements and competitively position ourselves for the next phase of the program.”
Testing has included Marines from Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) units. “Having the Marines operate the ARV and provide feedback was very valuable,” said Chris Dell, ARV Program Manager at General Dynamics Land Systems. “Their constructive feedback is priceless as we aim for an innovative and transformational solution.”
“Highly mobile on land and in the water, the ARV allows Marines to sense and communicate like never before,” Trotter added. “These tests were some of the most extensive to date for us to trial our strategic innovation technologies across the General Dynamics Land Systems portfolio. We pride ourselves on delivering capabilities for today and are thoughtful, deliberate and innovative about realizing the future vision of the Marine Corps. We look forward to continuing our decades long partnership with the Marines and contributing to their efforts to ensure that ARV is a transformational reconnaissance capability.”
