Assault Amphibian Vehicle Command Model 7A1 (AAVC7A1)

The AAVC7A1 is an assault amphibious full-tracked landing vehicle. The vehicle provides a moble task force communication center in water operations from ship to shore and to inland objectives after ashore. The Communication Center consists of five radio operator stations, three staff stations, and two master stations. The command comm system contains equipment to provided external sercure radio transmission between each the AAVC7A1 vehicle and other vehicles and radios. Internal communication between each crew station is provided.<BR>

Due to the limited space inside the AAV-C7 only individual combat gear is normally taken inside the vehicle. Other equipment and packs may be tied to the outside of the vehicle or carried on the chase vehicle.

The AAV-C7 has map boards mounted in front of the staff stations which can be removed and mounted on the outside of the vehicle for briefings. Ideally, S-2, S-3, and FSC maps/charts should be in close proximity to allow the commander and principal staff officers to view this information at one time and from a general location. During movement it is very difficult to write on the map boards. Consideration should be given to a system of maintaining and changing graphics while the vehicles are on the move. Until digital displays are fully fielded, it is recommended in the near term that units utilize a system of colored pins or stickies with unit symbols to track unit positions.

All staff officers operating inside the AAV-C7 must maintain a high level of awareness of the situation on the battlefield. The use of standard message forms or "yellow canaries" within the command vehicle is imperative when the primary officers are operating on a number of radio nets. Occasionally, staff members should conduct a "staff huddle" to coordinate efforts.

Personnel unfamiliar with the AAV-C7 often become frustrated by communication problems. Many of these problems are caused by operating at vast distances, engine noise when moving, located in a poor position for communications, and poor preventive maintenance. When moving and engine noise interferes with an important transmission conduct a hasty and temporary halt. Sometimes just reducing the speed of movement will improve the transmission. Communication requirements should be considered when selecting a position for higher a temporary or extended halt. If communications is poor, often a move to another position will greatly improve communications. Occasionally, in the fast paced nature of a mechanized operation, time is not allowed for preventive maintenance. During extended halts back-up radios may be used while preventive maintenance is conducted on vehicle radios. Back up hand sets and headsets should be maintained in each command vehicle.

During a mechanized operation there are temporary halts and extended halts. The temporary halts are relatively short term where the staff personnel will be operating outside of the vehicle. During extended halts the chase vehicles will come forward and personnel in those vehicles will be employed in the combat operations center. Consideration should be given to notifying subordinate units and all vehicles in the command group of the anticipated duration of the halt. Procedures can be developed which allow this notification to trigger other actions. For example, halts of more then 10 minutes might require troops to dismount and establish local security, or halts of greater than an hour might require laying wire.

Manufacturer: FMC Corporation
Date First Prototype: 1979
Date First Production Vehicle: 1983
Crew: 3
Weight:
Unloaded: 46,314 Pounds (With EAAK, Less Crew, Fuel, OEM, and Ammo)
Combat Equipped: 50,758 Pounds (EAAK, Crew, Fuel, OEM, and Ammo)
Fuel Capacity: 171 Gallons
Cruising Range:
Land at 25 MPH: 300 Miles
Water at 2600 RPM: 7 Hours
Cruising Speed:
Land: 20 to 30 MPH
Water: 6 MPH
Maximum Speed Forward:
Land: 45 MPH
Water: 8.2 MPH
Maximum Speed Reverse:
Land: 12 MPH
Water: 4.5 MPH
Engine:
Make: Cummins
Model: VT400
Type: 4 Cycle, 8 Cylinder, 90' Vee, Water Cooled, Turbocharged
Fuel: Multifuel
Cargo Compartment:
Length: 13.5 Feet
Width: 6.0 Feet
Height: 5.5 Feet
Volume: 445.5 Cubic Feet
Capacity: 21 Combat Equipped Troops
Armament and Ammunition: 7.62 Machine Gun
Unit Replacement Cost: $2.2 - 2.5 Million