What's so special about the US Marines' AAV wagon?

The Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV) has just been used by US marines in Texas, perhaps the perfect vehicle for relief in natural disasters, floods .

According to Popular Mechanics, One of the most visually striking and eye-catching things in the US federal government support in the last affected area of ​​Hurricane Harvey was a 37-ton and long armored vehicle. 8.3 meters. It was the Amphibious Assault Vehicle (also called AAV) , which was designed to transport marines from ships to parking lots and beyond, even recently used to assist Help Texas under floodwaters.

AAV is the latest model of the first generation amphibious amphibious vehicle that was developed for landing operations on islands during World War II. The first cars were then called Buffaloes (wading tanks) during World War II and the inter-Korean war, after which they became amphibious tractors ("amphibious tractors"). during the Vietnam War.

AAV amphibious vehicle is being operated in real life.(Photo: Chris Williamson).

These vehicles have the ability to wade and are equipped with light weapons as well as being able to receive reinforced marines from military ships to landings or deep access to hard-to-reach places. again.

AAV has a high bodywork, the purpose is to be able to drive both on roads and at the same time to wade into relatively deep wet areas. When the water is deep enough it turns into a canoe that can travel at approximately 13km / h through a pair of sprinkler engines mounted on either side. Weighing in excess of 30 tons, AAVs are almost "indomitable" in the presence of rain or normal weather disasters - which can blow away common cars, except when accidentally at the center of the storm. or tornado / water cannon.

AAVs can carry out relief missions in flooded areas whenever needed, with a compartment that can accommodate 21 people (often used to transport marines). Even in some cases it was used to bring relief items to Houston floodplains without any problems.

Video of some activities of AAVs in the area affected by storms in the US in the past week.

According to Defensetech, 56 marines belonging to the Charlie Company unit, the 4th Marine battalion stationed in Galveston, Texas, are currently involved in post-storm relief operations. This battalion belongs to the 4th Marine Division of the US Navy base based in New Orleans. A conventional amphibious battalion will have about 233 AAVs, and a unit like Charlie Company will operate about a quarter of them.

AAV was first introduced in 1972 and although it has been upgraded over time, the demand still needs a new generation of amphibious vehicles. US Marines are planning to replace the AAV with Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV), which is more modern and mobile.