Как пишет газета «Известия», машина должна отличаться высокой плавучестью, вмещать не менее 15 бойцов со штатным оружием и экипировкой, иметь минометы, автоматические гранатометы, переносные зенитные ракетные комплексы и крупнокалиберные пулеметы.
По словам источника газеты, новая машина должна быть больше уже стоящих на вооружении БМП-2, БМП-3 и БТР-80. Масса новой БМП для «Мистралей» должна быть около 30 тонн.
По оценке Главкомата ВМФ России, разработка тяжелой десантной машины необходима, чтобы следовать мировым тенденциям ─ загоризонтному методу высадки морской пехоты посредством вертолетов и десантных катеров. При этом бронетехника преодолевает расстояние в 30-40 километров до берега самостоятельно
A year ago, tests revealed that the EFV had similar survivability characteristics to MRAPs, when hit with roadside bombs or anti-vehicle mines. The EFV needed all the good news it could get, but marines were already using MRAPs in Afghanistan, and are quite happy with them. What they don't really need, and may never need, is a high speed (in the water) armored vehicle that can cross 50 kilometers of open water to assault a defended beach. There has been no need for that since 1950.
Seven new EFV prototypes were built, for another round of tests. Those tests were still underway when the EFV was cancelled, and the plan was to begin production next year. But large numbers of the new vehicle would not reach marines for another seven years. Under the original plan, the EFV was to enter service three years ago, and cost less than half its current price.
In retrospect, the marines could have just built the ACV, using mature technologies and staying away from the high speed (and high tech) water jet system that provided a capability that was not really critical.
On January 6, 2011, after spending approximately $3 billion in developmental funding, the
Marine Corps cancelled the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) program due to (1) poor
reliability demonstrated during operational testing and (2) excessive cost growth.
-The EFV can carry 17 troops with 1 day’s supply of provisions. However, 3 days of provisions are considered standard load-out.