Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle - Research Paper Example This essay discusses the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle, that is aimed for two main functions. First, transport a Marine Corps Rifle Squad from the sea to the shore and second - to provide armor operational capabilities on land. The assault vehicles are transported in ships and can be launched beyond the visual horizon. The visual horizon is the visible limit to detect presence of ships at sea from the shore line. This distance is translated as 25 kilometers as per the planning and development of the program. The supporters of this program argue and justify the flexibility that the assault vehicles provide to the Marines. The over the horizon launch capability provides protection to the amphibious ships till 25 kilometers from the shore. Furthermore, once deployed the vehicles have enough speed to make enemy tracking and defensive measures in the sea difficult. The time to reach the shore has also been shortened. The researcher then concluds that Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle was an ambitious program that provided lethal capabilities and its design matured over years. The program, however, could not prove its reliability and did not come up to the desired standards of the Marine Corps. The in service Amphibious Assault Vehicle has gone through various life extension programs and upgraded over time to meet operational requirement. The termination of the program was a serious setback to the Marine Corps and its replacement must provide with upgraded hardware to cope with the evolving Marine Corps strategy and doctrines.