Grizzly [Breacher]
The Assault Breacher Vehicle (ABV) is a single platform that will provide deliberate and in-stride breaching capability to the assault force of the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF). The ABV operates as part of the combined arms task force and is assigned to and employed by Combat Engineers. The ABV is based upon the M1 Main Battle Tank chassis (with out turret) and incorporates a number of subsystems, including a full width mine plow, dual line charges, lane marking system, remote control system, and protective weapon system. The integration of the Breaching Package onto the ABV, which uses the M1 tank chassis, shall require minimal modification to the chassis.
The Assault Breacher Vehicle (ABV) is a tracked, armored engineer vehicle specifically designed for conducting in-stride breaching of minefields and complex obstacles. The ABV will provide crew protection and vehicle survivability while having the speed and mobility to keep pace with the maneuver force. Major components of this system include a Full-Width Mine Plow (FWMP), two linear demolition charges (LDC), a lane-marking system, a remote control system, and weapon station integration on a modified M1A1 tank chassis. ABV will fill the requirement to clear a lane of sufficient width and depth for the assault forces and will be operated by a two-man crew with an option for remote control.
The ABV will improve the mobility and survivability of MAGTFs. The ABV will provide a deliberate assault breaching capability through minefields and complex obstacles. It will allow assault units to move rapidly through obstacles before threat forces have the full opportunity to mass fires or establish defenses.
Marine Corps Systems Command granted Milestone B in July 2003, as well as authorization to build three Production Representative Prototypes in order to conduct additional developmental tests and Initial Operational Testing and Evaluation. Milestone C is planned for the fourth quarter of FY 2004. Initial operational capability is scheduled during FY 2006 and full operational capability is scheduled for FY 2007