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Bringing innovation to fruition: Marines 3D print 1st reinforced concrete bridge in western hemisphere - A Marine with 1st Marine Logistics Group walks across a concrete footbridge during a 3D concrete printing exercise Dec. 12, at Camp Pendleton, California. Working with Marine Corps Systems Command’s Advanced Manufacturing Operations Cell and the Army Corps of Engineers, the 1st MLG used the Automated Construction of Expeditionary Structures—or ACES—printer to conduct 3D concrete printing of the bridge and evaluate emerging technology for future application in Marine Corps engineering operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Ensign Elizabeth Flanary)

Bringing innovation to fruition: Marines 3D print 1st reinforced concrete bridge in western hemisphere

Marines from the 1st Marine Logistics Group at Camp Pendleton, California, transformed their motto—“Victory through Logistics”—to action when they successfully 3D printed a concrete bridge in December, with the help of the Marine Corps Systems Command Advanced Manufacturing Operations Cell and the Army Corps of Engineers. During the Corps’ annual Steel Knight exercise, Marines were trained on how to operate the Automated Construction of Expeditionary Structures—or ACES—printer, incorporated new equipment into the process, and printed and assembled a usable foot bridge to demonstrate the concrete 3D printing capability in an operational environment.

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The Corps’ new Amphibious Combat Vehicle offers ‘significantly greater survivability, mobility’ than predecessor - Program Executive Officer Land Systems put the Amphibious Combat Vehicle 1.1 through high surf testing in December 2018 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The vehicle successfully navigated through waves measuring over six feet in height, meeting the ACV 1.2 anticipated requirements, and enabling the Marine Corps to combine the program into a singular ACV family of vehicles. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)

The Corps’ new Amphibious Combat Vehicle offers ‘significantly greater survivability, mobility’ than predecessor

The Marine Corps’ Amphibious Combat Vehicle program reached another milestone, proving the vehicle’s ability to deliver future combat power from ship to shore and follow-on objectives. Program Executive Officer Land Systems recently completed testing on the ACV, which proved the new vehicles' ability to not only take on challenging surf, but also complete a long swim from ship to shore and back. These major accomplishments facilitated the program moving from what was originally envisioned as an incremental approach, to one that will be known as the ACV family of vehicles, without the nomenclature of ACV 1.1 or ACV 1.2.

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Marine Rifle Squads get upgraded night vision devices - Marines took delivery of the Squad Binocular Night Vision Goggles during new equipment training in December 2018 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The move to the SBNVG is expected to enhance the infantry’s lethality and situational awareness in reduced visibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Joseph Neigh)

Marine Rifle Squads get upgraded night vision devices

An updated helmet-mounted night vision system is beginning to make its way to infantry units. Marine Corps Systems Command accelerated the acquisition of about 1,300 Squad Binocular Night Vision Goggles using existing Defense Logistics Agency contracts. “We have employed a bridge capability to give Marines the best gear right now available in the commercial marketplace,” said Lt. Col. Tim Hough, program manager for Infantry Weapons. “A final procurement solution will allow a larger pool of our industry partners to bid on the program.”

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Effort underway to update, give Light Armored Vehicles extended service life - U.S. Marines with Company A., 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion (2d LAR), 2nd Marine Division stage Light Armored Vehicle 25’s prior during a deployment exercise. LARs will be the first to receive the upgraded LAVs, or A3s, which will extend the service life and update key components. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Timothy J. Lutz)

Effort underway to update, give Light Armored Vehicles extended service life

The fleet of Marine Corps Light Armored Vehicles will begin receiving a number of necessary upgrades under the terms of a $37.2 million contract awarded Jan. 4. General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada will perform the work, which includes the procurement of 60 hardware kits in support of the Light Armored Vehicle Reset Program. The enhancements are designed to extend the service life of the LAV into the 2030s.

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LAV Anti-Tank Weapon System to reach FOC by end of 2019 - The Marine Corps continues to upgrade the turret system for the Light Armored Vehicle-Anti-Tank. The LAV Team at Marine Corps Systems Command continues to provide new equipment training to units receiving the Anti-Tank Weapon System upgrade, with the final two training evolutions scheduled for early this year. Full operational capability for the ATWS is expected at the end of fiscal year 2019. (Courtesy photo)