The United States Marine Corps has always been known for its expeditionary character, for being the first force to arrive on hostile shores and secure a beachhead under fire. To make this possible, the Marines have relied for decades on armored amphibious vehicles that can launch from the sea, swim through rough waters, and fight once they reach land. For a long time, the AAV-7 Assault Amphibious Vehicle carried this responsibility, a vehicle that entered service in the 1970s and became an iconic part of Marine amphibious doctrine. But as time passed, the AAV-7 grew outdated. Out of this requirement was born the Amphibious Combat Vehicle, or ACV, the newest armored platform designed to give Marines the edge in future conflicts.