AAAVC-7A1 Assault Amphibious Vehicle Command

The AAVC-7A1 is based on the AAV7 amphibious assault vehicle. The first prototype was built in 1979 and the vehicle entered service in 1983. It gives a commander a mobile communication centre to communicate between amphibious assault forces from ship to shore and to inland objectives after reaching the beach. This vehicle does not have a turret, and much of the cargo space of the vehicle is occupied by communications equipment. This version only has two crew radios, and in addition to the VIC-2, it also carries two VRC-92s, a VRC-89, a PRC-103 UHF radio, a MRC-83 HF radio and the MSQ internet working system used to control the various radios. This AAV has a crew of 3, and additionally carries 5 radio operators, 3 staff members, and 2 commanding officers. Recently, the C7 has been upgraded to use Harris Falcon II class radios, specifically the PRC-117 for VHF/UHF/SATCOM, and the PRC-150 for HF.

It was planned that in 2010 the AAVC-7A1 amphibious command vehicles will be replaced with the new EFV(C)s. However the EFV project was cancelled. Currently it is planned that AAVC-7A1 vehicles will be refurbished and upgraded and remain operational until 2035.