Moving from ship to shore in an expeditionary way requires amphibious assault vehicles, and for a long time the US Marine Corps has relied on the AAV7A1 family to do exactly that. Built by BAE Systems, this family of AAVs has carried US marines ashore for nearly 50 years in exercises and combat operations, as well as proving itself in ground fighting in places such as Iraq. The 29-ton personnel-carrying variant is known as the AAVP7A1, with the current configuration known as the Reliability, Availability, Maintainability/Rebuild to Standard (RAM/RS). Also introduced in 1993 were Enhanced Applique Armor Kits (EAAK) that increase protection levels for occupants.