Friction stir welding in the AAAV: friction stir welding may enable higher strength and lower cost in the Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle under development for the U.S. Marines.

The Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAAV) is an armored personnel carrier under development for the U.S. Marine Corps. The welded aluminum structure allows the AAAV to carry up to 18 fully outfitted combatants, at high speed, over land or sea to their destination. General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS), the AAAV's prime contractor, selected aluminum armor alloy 2519-T87 as the main structural alloy. This alloy offers higher ballistic protection and static strength than the mainstay aluminum armor alloy, 5083-H131. Gas metal arc welding (GMAW) is the primary process for building ...