BRITISH firm BAE Systems says it's handed over the first of a new variant of its Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) to the US Marine Corps for tests.

The 'command' variant ACV is designed to provide communications, coordination, and analysis on the battlefield. 

The company is under contract to deliver two variants to the Marine Corps under the ACV, the command and personnel carrier. 

 John Swift, director of amphibious programs at BAE Systems. “It provides Marines with advanced operational control for defeating adversaries."