speed, while dealing with sea states of Category 4. On 13 October 2010 the navy awarded M Cubed Technologies a contract to develop new armor for the EFV to offer better protection and lighter weight. Mobility Given the increasing ranges of shore launched anti-ship missiles, the EFV's range for amphibious landing may no longer provide the anticipated protection predicted for an over the horizon launch. The U.S. Navy began reconsidering the over the horizon approach, and is considering appropriate for amphibious launches. This shift in doctrine has made the EFV's high water speeds unnecessary. The EFV's need for high water speed has resulted in an engine that is more powerful than the M1 Abrams, even though the EFV weighs far less. Variants Personnel variant The EFVP1 with a three-man crew would have conducted the signature mission of the United States Marine Corps, expeditionary maneuver warfare from seabases by initiating amphibious operations from over-the-horizon and transporting 17 combat-equipped Marines to inland objectives. The fully armored, tracked combat vehicle would have provided firepower to disembarked or mechanized infantry with its own fully stabilized MK46 weapon station with the 30 mm cannon and 7.62mm machine-gun. Command variant The EFVC1 was to have provided the same survival and mobility capabilities found in the EFVP1. The EFVC1 would have been employed as a tactical command post for maneuver unit commanders at the battalion and regimental level. The EFVC1 would have provided the supported commander and selected staff with the ability to communicate, via on-board communications, with senior, adjacent, and subordinate maneuver units. The EFVC1 was to be armed with only a 7.62mm machine gun. See also Related development Assault Breacher Vehicle Amphibious Combat Vehicle Armored Systems Modernization Marine Personnel Carrier Ground Combat Vehicle Stryker Comparable ground systems Type 05 AFV References External links Official USMC website for the EFV program MTU diesel engines for military vehicles EFV profile on GlobalSecurity.org on Armour.ws Abandoned military projects of the United States Amphibious infantry fighting vehicles Armored personnel carriers of the United States United States Marine Corps projects Tracked amphibious vehicles General Dynamics land vehicles Post–Cold War armored fighting vehicles of the United States