An article on the
ACV from earlier today that I just read a short time ago has led me to found out what became of the
AAV.
The news
isn't good for either platform right now.
Another
ACV has floundered making it the
3rd one since July when
2 did the same in July. It has already missed its first OPEVAL deployment which I believe was to have occurred last month. Obviously, this most recent event will further delay this
1st OPEVAL deployment by
2-3 months at least.
In this last incident I'm glad to report
all three crew members got out safely.
These deployments are scheduled
2 or more years out at least some
much longer depending on platform.
AVC first...
"At
7:45 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13 the amphibious combat vehicle suffered an
unspecified “mechanical malfunction” during a training operation in the
surf zone near Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, according to the Marine Corps.
The malfunction caused the ACV to roll over. "
"It’s not the first surf-related incident to hit the ACV. A pair of mishaps in
July caused the Marine Corps to halt tests and training in the open water.
High winds and surf rolled one ACV onto its side while another was taken out of commission due to 8-foot-high waves. No one was injured in those accidents"
That would for the July incidents be a
Sea State 5 with the
BEAUFORT Scale that ALL Mariniers use worldwide.
Both the
AAV and ACV are designed to be able to operate in these conditions.
https://www.weather.gov/pqr/beaufort
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/ma...75d09abb885616
AAV next...
This situation is an
absolute disgrace and dereliction of duty.
If we treated Submarines like these AAV's then over my career it be
likely I wouldn't be here now. If you think I'm overreacting just do a "
deep read" of the incident and some of you will wonder and though and
be grateful that not more Marines had died over the years.
https://news.usni.org/2021/03/25/inv...in-aav-sinking
Based on the above
AAV incident the
USMC in DEC 2021 has
withdrawn the AAV from ALL at sea operations. They are
still used currently for land operations ONLY.
Or if you prefer...
"This means that the vehicles will no longer deploy on operations. What is more, they are also being barred from training in the water during exercises." .
https://defbrief.com/2021/12/16/usmc...adly-incident/
https://www.stripes.com/branches/mar...r-4000493.html
What is the "
surf zone"?
Surf Zone
Area of water between the high tide level on the beach and the seaward side of the breaking waves.
https://w1.weather.gov/glossary/index.php?letter=s
Depending on the width of the beach and where the high tide comes up the beach, I'd say your GENERALLY looking at about 200yds/183m (Rounded up.) or so.
Regards,
Pat
