Defense contractor V2X Inc. has teamed with RENK subsidiary Horstman Group to supply advanced suspension systems for the US Marine Corps’ Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) program.
Under the collaboration, Horstman will deliver its proprietary Hydrostrut hydro-pneumatic suspension technology. The system integrates high-pressure nitrogen gas with an internal oil damper in a compact unit, improving vehicle packaging efficiency and optimizing ride and mobility performance.
Hydrostrut is designed for integration on a wide range of platforms, including 4×4, 6×6, and 8×8 tracked and wheeled vehicles. The partnership follows the US military’s evaluation of Horstman’s suspension solution and comes within 15 months of the initial shipment to the ACV fleet, with deliveries scheduled to continue through December 2026. The next batch of Hydrostrut systems is expected to begin delivery by the end of the year.
The ACV program aims to replace the US Marine Corps’ aging Assault Amphibious Vehicles introduced in the 1970s, which are used to transport Marines and equipment during ship-to-shore operations.
Since entering service in 2018, the ACV has evolved into multiple variants to support command and control, engineering, and direct-fire roles. The baseline vehicle is equipped with a remote weapon station capable of mounting either a heavy machine gun or a grenade launcher.
An ACV carries a crew of three and up to 13 embarked personnel, with a payload capacity exceeding 3 tons (4,000 pounds). Powered by a 700-horsepower Iveco Cursor 16 engine, the vehicle can reach speeds of 65 miles per hour (105 kilometers per hour) on roads and 7 miles per hour (11 kilometers per hour) in water, with an operational range of approximately 250 miles (402 kilometers).
