Future Naval Officers Launch Marine Corps EFV from USS Cleveland
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS060728-03
Release Date: 7/28/2006 7:30:00 AM
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nathaniel Bates, Northwest Region Fleet Public Affairs Center
USS CLEVELAND, At Sea (NNS) -- More than 30 Midshipmen embarked aboard USS Cleveland (LPD) 7 July 10-16 helped launch the Marine Corps’ newest weapon system, the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV).
The vehicle is designed to allow troops greater mobility on land and higher speeds on the water, bringing the Marines to a new level of combat readiness.
“It was pretty neat,” said Midshipman Christopher Over. “Being able to come aboard and the see the Navy today was a real positive experience.”
The EFV will phase-out the older Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAV) and become the latest generation of combat vehicle for transporting troops from ship to shore. Currently there are two separate designs being built; the EFV Personnel (EFVP1) and the EFV Command (EFVC1).
The EFVP1 is designed to house a crew of 21 Marines, and haul more than 5,000 pounds of cargo. It is equipped with a 30mm cannon, 7.62 coax machine-gun, and enough armor to bounce a rocket propelled grenade off its side from point blank range.
The EFVC1 is a command design with specifications to house a commander and give him an overall battlefield perspective. With a more advanced communication system than has ever been carried into the battlefield before, the EFVC1 can have real time contact with every vehicle in its area of operation.
“Seeing the Navy and Marine Corps team working together lets me know I can depend on them to get the job done,” said Midshipman Joseph Manaloto about the teamwork necessary to accomplish a mission.
Cleveland is an amphibious landing dock ship homeported in San Diego. She is currently on a regularly scheduled training operation with the 1st Division 3rd Battalion Marine Corps.
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