A fully networked, sensor-integrated Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) outfitted with cutting-edge weapons technology drew significant attention this year at the Northrop Grumman Bushmaster User Conference (BUC), as defense manufacturer Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace unveiled its latest innovation in battlefield integration.
The highlight of the conference was the U.S. Marine Corps’ ACV fitted with the PROTECTOR Medium Calibre Turret (MCT), featuring the MK44 Bushmaster II autocannon and Echo Shield radar. Showcased as a unified combat platform, the ACV represents a new frontier in multi-domain, digitally integrated land systems, designed to adapt rapidly to the evolving complexities of modern warfare.
Kongsberg’s breakthrough is powered by its Integrated Combat Solution (ICS), a mission system architecture that links all sensors, weapons, communication systems, and battlefield data into a single, interoperable digital backbone. The system enables real-time sensor fusion, improved targeting, automated threat response, and comprehensive situational awareness, dramatically increasing operational efficiency on the ground.
“In today’s battlefield environment, decision-making needs to be fast, informed, and coordinated,” said a Kongsberg spokesperson. “ICS is the enabler that brings all elements together—from weapons and sensors to communications and command functions—into one coherent ecosystem.”
The live demonstration at the BUC highlighted ICS in action, displaying seamless integration between the MCT turret, the Echo Shield radar, and onboard targeting systems. Attendees watched as the ACV detected, tracked, and simulated engagements against a range of hypothetical threats, both aerial and terrestrial.
The U.S. Marine Corps’ ACV is already a vital element of the Corps’ modernization strategy, intended to eventually replace the aging Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV). Developed by BAE Systems in collaboration with Iveco Defence Vehicles, the ACV provides enhanced mobility, protection, and payload capacity. However, its true transformative potential lies in its adaptability to evolving threat environments—precisely the gap Kongsberg aims to fill with its integrated technologies.
The featured turret, the PROTECTOR MCT-30, houses the MK44 30mm cannon and includes advanced sighting systems, multiple targeting optics, and AI-enhanced fire control capabilities. The addition of Echo Shield, a compact active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, brings 360-degree coverage and counter-drone detection to the platform.
Together, these components work in tandem to enable faster target acquisition, improved lethality, and a higher level of autonomy in target response. The integration showcased at the event gives a clear glimpse of how future land vehicles will fight in networked, high-threat environments, where speed and coordination are paramount.
A critical focus of this year’s demonstration was Kongsberg’s expanding role in counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) operations. Drawing insights from the battlefield in Ukraine—where its Typhon system has been operational—Kongsberg has channeled lessons learned into improving its radar, targeting, and response capabilities.
“Counter-UAS is a high priority at Kongsberg,” the company said in a statement. “Our operational deployment of the Typhon system in Ukraine, along with several other ongoing projects, has provided crucial feedback that we’ve integrated into our development of ACV systems.”
The Typhon system, known for its ability to autonomously detect and neutralize drone threats using a combination of radar, optics, and directed-energy weapons, serves as a foundational element for future counter-drone warfare modules. At BUC, elements of this system were demonstrated in concept as part of the ACV’s operational package, potentially signaling a direction for future modular upgrades.
Kongsberg’s collaboration with Northrop Grumman, a global leader in aerospace and defense technologies, was central to the development and testing leading up to the BUC demonstration. The two companies described the process as “intensively collaborative,” involving months of software integration, live-fire testing, and iterative engineering refinements.
“This demonstration is not just a product rollout—it’s the result of countless hours of preparation, testing, and teamwork,” said a Northrop Grumman program lead. “It shows what is possible when advanced systems from different vendors are unified under a common digital architecture.”
The demonstration was held at the U.S. Army’s Yuma Proving Ground, a site commonly used for validating new armored vehicles and weapon systems. Over two days, military observers, defense contractors, and foreign delegations watched as the integrated ACV performed simulated mission profiles across rugged terrain, showcasing both firepower and networking capabilities.
Although no new procurement announcements were made at the event, Kongsberg officials indicated that the ACV integration aligns closely with the U.S. Marine Corps’ Force Design 2030 modernization strategy, which emphasizes lighter, more mobile units capable of operating independently in contested environments.
The Marine Corps is undergoing a significant doctrinal shift, moving away from legacy platforms and toward smaller, tech-enabled units that can conduct distributed operations. The ability to fuse sensors, command systems, and weapons into a single platform supports this approach, enabling enhanced lethality and survivability with fewer personnel and logistical requirements.
Kongsberg believes its ICS-equipped ACV offers exactly that—digitally empowered capabilities that can plug into broader U.S. and allied networks to fight jointly across land, sea, and air domains.
“This isn’t just about one vehicle,” a Kongsberg executive said. “It’s about making sure every Marine unit has access to the right data, the right tools, and the ability to respond immediately in fast-moving, multi-domain conflict zones.”
Though currently demonstrated on the U.S. Marine Corps’ ACV, the PROTECTOR turret and ICS framework are designed to be platform-agnostic. Kongsberg officials emphasized that similar integrations could be made on a variety of combat vehicles used by NATO and allied forces, opening up significant export potential for the system.
The company hinted at ongoing talks with European and Asia-Pacific defense ministries, many of whom are investing heavily in new-generation armored platforms amid rising global security concerns. Several representatives from foreign militaries were in attendance at BUC, reportedly showing keen interest in the ACV setup and its sensor fusion capabilities.
Moreover, the integration could also be expanded to autonomous or remotely operated vehicles, a growing area of focus within modern armed forces. With its modular design, ICS can be adapted to support unmanned missions, reinforcing Kongsberg’s push toward digitized and autonomous battlefield systems.
The presence of such integrated systems at BUC 2024 reflects a broader transformation underway in military vehicle design. The modern battlefield is no longer defined solely by armor and firepower—it’s about information dominance, rapid decision-making, and precision engagement. This shift is being driven by the convergence of AI, sensor miniaturization, cloud-based communication, and multi-domain interoperability.
The ICS-powered ACV embodies this evolution. It is not just a weapon, but a mobile command node, a hub that receives, processes, and acts upon real-time battlefield intelligence, coordinating with nearby units and command centers to deliver maximum impact in minimal time.
Military observers believe that vehicles like the one demonstrated at BUC will soon become the norm rather than the exception, especially as peer and near-peer adversaries adopt increasingly sophisticated technologies, including drones, loitering munitions, and cyber-capable battlefield assets.
The 2024 Bushmaster User Conference offered a clear look at the future of armored warfare—one where integration, digital architecture, and agility matter as much as firepower and armor. Kongsberg’s demonstration of the ACV with ICS and PROTECTOR MCT presents a compelling vision of how ground forces will operate in tomorrow’s battlespace.
While it remains to be seen how quickly such technologies will be adopted at scale, the interest and enthusiasm at BUC suggest that militaries around the world recognize the urgency of modernization—and the critical role that integrated solutions will play in achieving it.
