The US Navy has received its second ship to shore connector (SSC) from Textron Systems’ Slidell, Louisiana, facility.
Landing craft, air cushion (LCAC) 101 was delivered on August 27 after it completed its acceptance trials in June this year.
The LCAC is a high-speed, over-the-beach, fully amphibious landing craft capable of carrying a 60-70 ton payload. The LCAC replaces the existing fleet of legacy LCAC vehicles, and will primarily transport weapon systems, equipment, cargo, and personnel of the assault elements through varied environmental conditions from amphibious ships to and over the beach.
The new craft incorporate improvements over the legacy LCAC to increase range and lift capability while ensuring compatibility with existing well deck equipped amphibious ships, as well as Expeditionary Transfer Dock and Expeditionary Sea Bases. The new craft can travel at a sustained 35 knots, and has an increased service life of 30 years.
“Our next generation surface connectors are going to significantly enhance the Navy and Marine Corps team’s capability to execute missions – from humanitarian assistance to amphibious assault,” said Capt. Cedric McNeal, amphibious warfare program manager, Program Executive Office Ships. “We have 12 additional craft in production with another 10 on contract, positioning us to steadily deliver increased capability to our fleet over the coming years.”
Textron received a $386 million contract for the delivery of 15 additional craft in April this year.
