The two companies will be pooling resources with hope they will fulfill the requirements for the MPC program, which could be a hugely lucrative deal for both.

Winning the bid in the United States will also clear the way for the SUPERAV 8x8 personnel carrier to get attention from armed forces worldwide.

BAE Systems and Iveco Defense Vehicles announced they signed a licensing agreement as the basis of a business arrangement to pursue the Marine Corps bid. The licensing agreement covers production and further development of the SuperAV 8x8.

The armored vehicle was unveiled at the Brno arms fair in the Czech Republic in 2009. Iveco sources said the vehicle was practically designed from the ground up for the amphibious environment and current combat conditions.

The new vehicle incorporates information gleaned from the combat experience of earlier models and responds to the currently perceived operational threats, where survivability of the vehicle and the fighters as well as the vehicle's weight are critically important.

At a lighter weight of 25 tons, Iveoco says the SUPERAV 8x8 retains the necessary characteristics for successful amphibious operations.

During tests the vehicle had survivability on a par with traditional armored personnel carriers. Its V-shaped hull is able to deflect blasts, with a higher ground clearance to reduce the kinetic force.

Two side-mounted transmission shafts remove the elements as projectiles from an upward blast. As a result, all the elements of the payload are suspended from the roof further enhancing survivability.

Iveco sources said the vehicle was optimized for operation in salt water conditions and could disembark a full 10-member squad.

Both companies said they are confident the Iveco design can benefit from the experience and know-how of the two companies in combat vehicle and amphibian vehicle development.

The MPC is designed to fill the medium-armor ground vehicle gap and complements the capabilities of the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle and the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle.

The SUPERAV will be a flexible and highly mobile asset for the Marines that will be well protected, sustainable, networked and include a strong swimming capability, the companies said in a statement.

The statement said both BAE Systems and Iveco Defense Vehicles have extensive experience across a range of mine-protected and armored vehicles that put them in a position to jointly address the MPC program's requirements.

BAE Systems is a global defense, security and aerospace company with approximately 107,000 employees worldwide.

Iveco Defense Vehicles, which works with the practical application of innovative automotive and protection solutions, has headquarters in Bolzano, northern Italy.

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