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Soldiers

Marine Corps Makes Progress on Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) Development

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Marine Corps is making headway on the development of reconfigured prototypes of the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV), despite the program's delayed timeline and technical challenges. The EFV program manager, Col. Keith Moore, expressed optimism about the upcoming milestones, including the integration of new software and the testing of the vehicle's reliability. While the program faces congressional scrutiny and funding concerns, Moore is confident that the EFV will demonstrate improved performance and reliability.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Marine Corps has begun assembling the hulls for seven new EFV prototypes, with four already in the assembly process and a fifth set to start assembly shortly.
  • The first prototype is expected to be installed with initial software developed by the Air Force in early November, with subsequent software installation planned for the following month.
  • The EFV program aims to complete a significant amount of functional integration on the first few EFVs by the end of the year.
  • The first new prototype is scheduled to be sent to the Marine Corps' Camp Pendleton in California for testing in late January or early February.
  • General Dynamics is projected to turn over the first vehicle to the government in late April or early May.
  • A dedicated reliability demonstration with three or four EFV prototypes is planned for the fall of 2010.
  • Four existing, flawed EFV prototypes are being reworked, with the first vehicle expected to start receiving modifications in mid-October.
  • The Marine Corps is developing an EFV armor applique to address congressional concerns about the vehicle's level of protection from underbelly explosions.
  • The first full-sized applique test article is expected in the second quarter of fiscal year 2011.
  • The Marine Corps plans to outfit EFVs with detachable armor packages once they are fielded.
  • Col. Keith Moore and other EFV officials have continued to tout analyses that argue the armor applique is the best solution for the EFV.

Statistics:

  • $766.8 million: The contract awarded to General Dynamics in mid-2008 for the second System Design and Development effort.
  • 7: The number of new EFV prototypes currently being assembled.
  • 4: The number of existing, flawed EFV prototypes being reworked.
  • 2-3 months: The estimated delay in the EFV schedule if the funding proposal is reduced by $50 million.
  • $294.5 million: The funding proposed by the Marine Corps for the EFV program.
  • $50 million: The proposed reduction in funding for the EFV program.

Sources:

  • Defense Daily (interview with Col. Keith Moore)
  • House Armed Services Seapower and Expeditionary Forces subcommittee Chairman Gene Taylor (D-Miss.)
  • Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD)
  • Department of the Navy

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