ASSAULT BREACHER VEHICLE (ABV)

The Assault Breacher Vehicle (ABV) program is a key line item in the Army's tracked combat vehicle procurement budget, specifically supporting the Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT) and Combat Engineer Company - Armor (CEC-A). The primary objective of the ABV program is to provide specialized, survivable vehicles capable of breaching minefields and barrier obstacles. This capability enables tanks and infantry units to maintain momentum during offensive operations.

The ABV is built on a modified M1A1 Abrams tank hull, offering equivalent crew protection and mobility to the Abrams. This ensures it can operate effectively alongside armored maneuver forces. The ABV is equipped with advanced engineering systems tailored for combat breaching missions, including two Linear Demolition Charge Systems, interchangeable breaching hardware such as a Full Width Mine Plow and a Combat Dozer Blade, a Lane Marking System to automatically mark cleared paths, and integrated day/night vision capabilities. These systems are designed to maximize operational effectiveness in complex battlefield environments, ensuring that engineer units can rapidly and safely clear obstacles for follow-on forces.

The program's procurement strategy involves a partnership with Anniston Army Depot (ANAD), which modifies the Abrams chassis and integrates the specialized breaching equipment. The ABV modification budget line funds the acquisition of hardware, materials, and installation costs necessary for these modifications. The objectives of these modifications include correcting safety deficiencies, increasing mission capabilities, extending vehicle service life, improving supportability, upgrading technology, addressing obsolescence, and ensuring compliance with new legal and regulatory requirements. This approach allows the Army to maintain a modern, supportable fleet at a lower cost than purchasing entirely new vehicles.

A significant component of the ABV program is the conversion of fifty-one Assault Breacher Vehicles Harvested (ABV-H) from the United States Marine Corps (USMC) to the Army standard configuration. This conversion process is essential for meeting the Army Acquisition Objective (AAO) of 223 ABVs. The modifications ensure interoperability and standardization across Army units, while also leveraging existing assets to maximize cost efficiency and readiness.

For Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, the base procurement request is allocated to support the modification of one ABV-H vehicle from USMC inventory to Army configuration, including fielding and program support. This funding is justified under Section 1815 of the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act, which mandates the use of such equipment for homeland defense, domestic emergency response, and military support to civil authorities. The program supports both warfighting and domestic contingency missions for active and reserve components.

In addition to the primary procurement activities, the ABV program includes ongoing support for hardware upgrades and installation, ensuring that vehicles remain operationally effective and compliant with evolving requirements. By focusing on modification rather than new production, the Army achieves significant cost savings while maintaining a capable and ready inventory of breaching vehicles. Installation costs are included in each hardware kit, streamlining the budgeting and execution process.