The Amphibious Vehicle Test Branch (AVTB) mission is to plan, execute, analyze, and report developmental and integrated test and evaluation events in order to characterize the performance of amphibious and ground combat vehicle systems, and enable informed acquisition decisions.
Since its inception in the 1940s, AVTB has been at the forefront of amphibious vehicle testing and continues to be DoD’s only test center specializing in the test, evaluation and development of the Marine Corps’ present and future amphibious combat platforms. AVTB has been the focal point for all generational upgrades of amphibious vehicles, since the Landing Vehicle Tracked (LVT), which was key to the success of the Pacific island hopping campaign of World War II. During the preceding decades, AVTB maintained an integral role in the testing of many variants and upgrades of the Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV) and Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV). AVTB is now preparing to conduct testing of the Amphibious Assault Vehicle Survivability Upgrade (AAV SU) and Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV).
Due to the unique organic resources, AVTB has the ability to expand beyond testing of amphibious vehicles. AVTB has also successfully executed developmental tests and demonstrations on a wide range of DoD equipment and vehicles at a variety of locations throughout the U.S. Most recently, AVTB successfully conducted a rail impact transportability test for the USMC AMK970 Aircraft Refueling Semitrailer at Marine Corps Logistics Base (MCLB) Barstow in the desert of Barstow, CA.
The Operations Section provides the personnel, equipment, and resources necessary to safely execute developmental and operational testing of amphibious vehicles in order to provide timely and accurate information to decision-makers regarding the platform under test.
The Maintenance Section provides direct support maintenance and recovery for appropriate organic equipment in order to support test requirements, and provides a general support maintenance capability for fielded and test platforms.
The Communications Section provides communications equipment, maintenance, security, spectrum management, Secure Internet Protocol Routing Network (SIPRNET) access, and subject matter expertise in order to enable testing of amphibious and combat vehicles and their associated communications systems.
The Electronics and Metrology Lab conducts test article instrumentation and provides accurate and timely test data in support of the development and acquisition of amphibious vehicles.
The Logistics Section provides logistics support to the Amphibious Vehicle Test Branch in the area of procurement, transportation, hazardous material control, facilities coordination, disposal, and storage in order to complete mission objectives and goals of AVTB.
The Engineering Section provides technical expertise in the test design, test execution, analysis, and test reporting of USMC vehicles and their associated systems.
The Finance Office provides guidance and expertise to AVTB's management and staff to support operations regarding all financial matters.
Headquarters Amphibious Vehicle Test Branch Box 555217, Building #210536 Camp Pendleton, CA 92055
Email AVTB@usmc.mil Front Desk / Duty NCO (760) 725-2601 Duty NCO Cell (760) 801-1330