U.S. Marines run up stairs during a stair walk at the San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, Sept. 11. - U.S. Marines run up stairs during a stair walk at the San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, Sept. 11.

A Light Armored Vehicle-25 is used to secure a position during a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., March 31. - A Light Armored Vehicle-25 is used to secure a position during a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., March 31.

Marine Corps plans to replace LAV with new, ‘transformational’ ARV - Light Armored Reconnaissance Vehicles with Weapons Co., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, finish a 379-mile movement into the Australian outback. The Marine Corps plans to start replacing its legacy Light Armored Vehicles with modern Armored Reconnaissance Vehicles late in the next decade. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Codey Underwood)

LAV Anti-Tank Weapon System to reach FOC by end of 2019 - The Marine Corps continues to upgrade the turret system for the Light Armored Vehicle-Anti-Tank. The LAV Team at Marine Corps Systems Command continues to provide new equipment training to units receiving the Anti-Tank Weapon System upgrade, with the final two training evolutions scheduled for early this year. Full operational capability for the ATWS is expected at the end of fiscal year 2019. (Courtesy photo)

Marines with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion arrive to put their Light Armored Vehicle on display for the public to look at as a part of Marine Day at Bryant Park, New York City, May 21, 2015. Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-New York showcase the capabilities of the Marine Corps both physically, mentally and technologically during Fleet Week New York. Fleet Week is an annual event that provides New York and surrounding area a chance to see the sea services capabilities. - Marines with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion arrive to put their Light Armored Vehicle on display for the public to look at as a part of Marine Day at Bryant Park, New York City, May 21, 2015. Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-New York showcase the capabilities of the Marine Corps both physically, mentally and technologically during Fleet Week New York. Fleet Week is an annual event that provides New York and surrounding area a chance to see the sea services capabilities.

Light armored vehicle crewmen with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion man a crew-served M240 Bravo medium machine gun during a live-fire platoon attack exercise on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 15, 2015. The unit utilized machine guns, which stood in for the battalion’s light armored vehicles for the exercise, but the weapon systems still provided an opportunity for Marines to maintain their combat skills. - Light armored vehicle crewmen with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion man a crew-served M240 Bravo medium machine gun during a live-fire platoon attack exercise on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 15, 2015. The unit utilized machine guns, which stood in for the battalion’s light armored vehicles for the exercise, but the weapon systems still provided an opportunity for Marines to maintain their combat skills.

Lance Corporals Brittany R. Dunklee, left, gunner, and Ashleigh Howell, center, driver, both with Light Armored Vehicle Platoon, Company B, Ground Combat Element Integrated Task Force, carry a simulated casualty while Cpl. Benjamin Alexander, right, vehicle commander, provides security, during the CASEVAC portion of a Marine Corps Operational Test and Evaluation Activity assessment at Range 500, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, March 12, 2015. From October 2014 to July 2015, the GCEITF will conduct individual and collective level skills training in designated ground combat arms occupational specialties in order to facilitate the standards-based assessment of the physical performance of Marines in a simulated operating environment performing specific ground combat arms tasks. - Lance Corporals Brittany R. Dunklee, left, gunner, and Ashleigh Howell, center, driver, both with Light Armored Vehicle Platoon, Company B, Ground Combat Element Integrated Task Force, carry a simulated casualty while Cpl. Benjamin Alexander, right, vehicle commander, provides security, during the CASEVAC portion of a Marine Corps Operational Test and Evaluation Activity assessment at Range 500, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, March 12, 2015. From October 2014 to July 2015, the GCEITF will conduct individual and collective level skills training in designated ground combat arms occupational specialties in order to facilitate the standards-based assessment of the physical performance of Marines in a simulated operating environment performing specific ground combat arms tasks.