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AAV-7A1
The LVT-7 was first
introduced in 1972 as a replacement for the
LVT-5. In 1982, FMC was contracted to conduct
the LVT-7 Service Life Extension Program,
which converted the LVT-7 vehicles to the
improved AAV-7A1 vehicle by adding an improved
engine, transmission, and weapons system and
improving the overall maintainability of the
vehicle. Existing P-7A1s were later upgraded
to carry the UGWS (UpGunned Weapons Station),
which mounts a .50 cal (12.7 mm) M-2HB machine
gun and a Mk-19 40 mm grenade launcher.
The AAV is still used
by the United States Marine Corps, although
it is slated to be replaced with the Expeditionary
Fighting Vehicle starting in 2008
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