Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace has secured a $118 million contract to supply remote weapon turrets for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Amphibious Combat Vehicle 30 (ACV-30).
The agreement finalizes an earlier deal for the full-rate production of 101 Protector RT20 medium-caliber remote turret systems, also known as the Protector 20.
The contract encompasses manufacturing, deployment, support services, testing equipment, and spare parts. If all contractual options are exercised, the total value could rise to $271.5 million.
Production will be shared between Norway and Pennsylvania, with the project scheduled for completion by September 2027. Kongsberg will work closely with the U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command based in Virginia.
Part of a Broader Amphibious Fleet Modernization Effort
The RT20 turret acquisition supports a broader U.S. Department of Defense initiative to upgrade its amphibious vehicle fleet, phasing out outdated systems from the 1970s. The modernization program features several ACV variants, including command, personnel, and recovery models.
The ACV-30 variant, equipped with a 30mm weapon system, entered full-rate production in April 2025.
Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace, expressed pride in contributing to the Marine Corps’ combat effectiveness, highlighting enhanced firepower and operational versatility.
Protector RT20: Precision Firepower & Crew Safety
The Protector RT20 is designed to deliver high-precision firepower while maximizing operator protection. It features advanced fire control systems, sensor integration, and a linkless ammunition system.
The turret supports programmable airburst munitions, a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun, optional secondary weapons, and under-armor reload. It allows for single or dual-user operation and offers features like hunter-killer targeting, target sharing, anti-tank missile integration, active protection systems, and has an effective range of up to 3,000 meters.
