Aiken plant to manufacture Marine Corps combat vehicles

Workers at a manufacturing plant in Aiken, South Carolina, will soon help build new vehicles for the Marine Corps. The Department of Defense announced on March 14 a plan to modify its contract with BAE Systems for an additional 30 Amphibious Combat Vehicles. These vehicles are designed to transport Marines and equipment from ships to shore. Once on land, they provide support and can work with other vehicles to engage enemy forces. The contract modification will cost the Department of Defense about $188.46 million. Most of the construction work will happen in York, Pennsylvania, where three-fifths of the vehicles will be built. Workers in Aiken and San Jose, California, will each handle 15% of the work. The remaining production will take place in Sterling Heights, Michigan, and Stafford, Virginia. BAE Systems initially won a $3.86 billion contract in 2018 to build up to 204 vehicles. SAIC, a competitor, created test prototypes in Charleston. The new amphibious vehicles aim to replace the Assault Amphibious Vehicle, which has been in service since 1972. The older model has faced criticism after its performance in past conflicts, including the 2003 invasion of Iraq. In that conflict, eight Assault Amphibious Vehicles were destroyed, resulting in the deaths of Marines and a civilian interpreter. The Aiken facility is located in Verenes Industrial Park, near Interstate 20 and the Aiken Regional Airport.