Tag Archives: Ship to Shore Connector (SSC)

Navy

LCACs 105-107

Ship to Shore Connector (SSC), Landing Craft, Air Cushions (LCAC) 105-107 received a Lift Of Opportunity (LOO) aboard USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44), on July 14.

Ship to Shore Connector (SSC)
LCACs 105-107 Receive Lift of Opportunity Aboard USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44)

LCACs 105-107 have been at Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division for post-delivery test and trials following their delivery to the U.S. Navy by Textron Systems.

The leadership on the USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) worked with Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships, Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division, and Assault Craft Unit FOUR (ACU-4) as LCACs 105-107 entered the well deck for transport.

«SSC LCACs are in serial production and actively providing much-needed agility and speed to our fleet», said Captain Jason Grabelle, program manager, Amphibious Assault and Connectors Programs, PEO Ships. «The flexibility of LCACs, combined with their technology, provide our Navy and Marine Corps team with capability for today and the future fight».

Later this month, the USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) team will offload these three crafts to their new home at ACU-4 in Little Creek, Virginia. ACU-4 is the parent unit for LCACs on the east coast. LCACs 101-104 arrived at ACU-4 in February 2022.

SSC LCACs are built with configurations, dimensions, and clearances similar to the legacy LCACs they replace – ensuring that this latest air cushion vehicle is fully compatible with existing, well deck-equipped amphibious ships, the Expeditionary Sea Base, and the Expeditionary Transfer Dock. LCACs are capable of carrying a 74-ton payload. They primarily transport weapon systems, equipment, cargo, and assault element personnel through a wide range of conditions, including over-the-beach.

As one of the Defense Department’s largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships, boats, and craft.

Navy

Ship to Shore Connector

The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of the next-generation landing craft, Ship to Shore Connector (SSC), Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) 105, March 8.

LCAC-105
Navy Accepts Delivery of Ship to Shore Connector, Landing Craft, Air Cushion 105

LCACs are built with configurations, dimensions, and clearances similar to the legacy LCACs they replace – ensuring that this latest air cushion vehicle is fully compatible with existing well deck-equipped amphibious ships, the Expeditionary Sea Base and the Expeditionary Transfer Dock. LCACs are capable of carrying a 60-75 ton payload. They primarily transport weapon systems, equipment, cargo, and assault element personnel through a wide range of conditions, including over-the-beach.

«LCACs are a critical tool for the U.S. Navy, the Marine Corps, and all of our warfighters», said Amphibious Assault and Connectors Program Manager, Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships, Captain Jason Grabelle. «This delivery comes at an important time for the fleet, and their inclusion will only strengthen our posture».

The delivery of LCAC-105 comes after completion of acceptance trials conducted by the U.S. Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV), which tested the readiness and capability of the craft to effectively meet its requirements.

Textron Systems of Slidell, Louisiana is currently in serial production on LCACs 107-115.

As one of the Defense Department’s largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships, boats and craft.

Navy

Ship to Shore Connector

The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of the next generation landing craft, Ship to Shore Connector (SSC), Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) 106 on November 17.

LCAC-106
The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of the next generation landing craft, Ship to Shore Connector (SSC), Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) 106 on November 17

LCAC 106’s delivery follows the completion of Acceptance Trials with the U.S. Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) to test the readiness and capability of the craft and to validate requirements.

«We are excited to deliver this next generation craft to the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps team», said Captain Jason Grabelle, program manager, Amphibious Assault and Connectors Programs, Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships. «LCACs are providing our Navy and partners with the speed and agility essential to our missions».

LCACs are built with similar configurations, dimensions, and clearances to the legacy LCAC, ensuring the compatibility of this next-generation air cushion vehicle with existing well deck-equipped amphibious ships.

The LCAC program is in serial production, with an additional 11 craft currently being built at Textron Systems.

As one of the Defense Department’s largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships, boats and craft.

Navy

Ship to Shore Connector

The next generation landing craft, Ship to Shore Connector (SSC), Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC), successfully completed well deck interoperability testing with USS Carter Hall (LSD-50) and demonstrated the craft are another step closer to fleet integration.

Ship to Shore Connector (SSC)
The next generation landing craft, Ship to Shore Connector (SSC), Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC), successfully completed well deck interoperability testing with the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD-50) and demonstrated the craft are another step closer to fleet integration (U.S. Navy photo by Michael Macdonald)

The evolution was conducted as part of the first phase of ship interface testing and helped validate user requirements by performing multiple well deck entries and exits from USS Carter Hall. LCACs are built with similar configurations, dimensions, and clearances to the legacy LCAC – ensuring the compatibility with existing well deck equipped amphibious ships.

«This is an exciting period for the Ship to Shore Connector program as we continue to validate user requirements and get the craft ready for their eventual fleet tasking», said Captain Scot Searles, program manager, Amphibious Assault and Connectors Programs, Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships. «The success of the well deck testing and other recent evolutions validates these modernized craft will be a game changer for the Navy/Marine Corps team as they execute various missions in the maritime domain».

The test event, a collaboration between, PEO Ships, USS Carter Hall, Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division and other stakeholders, was the culmination of months of preparation. The testing also has historical significance, as Panama City, Fla. is the location of the Navy’s Air Cushion Vehicle Center of Excellence with the first-ever well deck operations occurring off Panama City in 1985 between legacy LCAC-01 and USS Whidbey Island (LSD-41).

«Working alongside Program Executive Office Ships, Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Panama City Division and other stakeholders to provide the fleet with a modernized and more capable Ship to Shore Connector makes our Navy better in every way», said Commander LaDonna Simpson, Carter Hall’s commanding officer. «The time and efforts invested here make my people more proficient, and our Navy stronger. We are grateful to have been selected to support this evolution».

With the recent delivery of LCAC-103 and its fly away to NSWC Panama City, the program is currently in serial production on LCACs 104-116. The delivery of four more craft is scheduled for later this calendar year.

As one of the Defense Department’s largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships, boats and craft.

Navy

Ship-to-Shore Connector

The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of the next generation landing craft, Ship to Shore Connector (SSC), Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) 102, June 3.

Ship-to-Shore Connector
U.S. Navy Accepts Delivery of Ship to Shore Connector, Landing Craft, Air Cushion 102

Delivery follows successful completion of Acceptance Trials with the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey to test the readiness and capability of the craft and to validate requirements.

«SSC provides the Navy and Marine Corps team with the capability and capacity needed to execute a range of complex missions with agility and speed», said Captain Cedric McNeal, program manager, Amphibious Warfare Programs, Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships. «With increases in performance and reliability, this next generation craft will meet the needs of the fleet for years to come».

LCACs are built with similar configurations, dimensions, and clearances to legacy LCAC, ensuring the compatibility of this next-generation air cushion vehicle with existing well deck equipped amphibious ships, as well as the Expeditionary Transfer Dock.

The SSC program is now in serial production with LCACs 103-115 making progress on the production lines at Textron Systems in Slidell, Louisiana.

SSC training craft, LCACs 100 and 101 are in the initial operator training pipeline and are in post-delivery test and trials at Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division.

As one of the Defense Department’s largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships, boats and craft.

 

SPECIFICATIONS

Payload 74 t/ 163,142 lbs.
Speed 35 knots/40 mph/65 km/h at Sea State 3
Deck Area 67 x 24 feet (1,608 sq feet)/20.42 x 7.32 m (149.39 sq m)
Operating Crew Four (pilot, co-pilot, load master and deck engineer)
Overall Height 5 feet/1.52 m
Overall Length 92 feet/28.04 m
Overall Beam 48 feet/14.63 m
Propulsion Four gas turbine engines
Service Life 30 years

 

Navy

Ship to Shore

The Navy accepted delivery of the next generation landing craft, Ship to Shore Connector (SSC), Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) 101, August 27. LCAC-101 is the second craft delivered by Textron Systems to the Navy this year.

Navy accepts delivery of second next generation Landing Craft

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 delivery follows the successful completion of Acceptance Trials with the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey. During these at sea trials, the craft underwent testing to demonstrate the capability of the platform and installed systems across all mission areas to effectively meet its requirements.

«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 Captain Cedric McNeal, amphibious warfare program manager, Program Executive Office (PEO) 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».

LCACs are constructed at Textron Systems in Slidell, Louisiana and are built with similar configurations, dimensions, and clearances to legacy LCAC, ensuring the compatibility of this next-generation air cushion vehicle with existing well deck equipped amphibious ships, as well as Expeditionary Transfer Dock and the Expeditionary Sea Base.

As one of the Defense Department’s largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships, boats and craft.

 

SPECIFICATIONS

Payload 68 metric tons/149,914 lbs.
Speed 35 knots/40 mph/65 km/h at Sea State 3
Deck Area 67 × 24 feet (1,608 sq feet)/20.42 × 7.32 m (149.39 sq m)
Operating Crew Four (pilot, co-pilot, load master and deck engineer)
Overall Height 5 feet/1.52 m
Overall Length 92 feet/28.04 m
Overall Beam 48 feet/14.63 m
Propulsion Four gas turbine engines
Service Life 30 years

 

Navy

Acceptance Trials

The Navy’s next generation landing craft, Ship to Shore Connector (SSC), Land Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) 101, concluded acceptance trials the week of June 8 after successfully completing a series of graded in-port and underway demonstrations for the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV).

The Navy’s next generation landing craft, Ship to Shore Connector (SSC), Land Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) 101, concluded acceptance trials the week of June 8 after successfully completing a series of graded in-port and underway demonstrations for the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) (Photo by Textron (courtesy of)/RELEASED)

During the trials, the craft underwent integrated testing to demonstrate the capability of the platform and installed systems across all mission areas to effectively meet its requirements. These demonstrations are used to validate the quality of construction and compliance with Navy specifications and requirements prior to delivering the craft to the U.S. Navy. As INSURV is the approving authority for ships and craft undergoing Acceptance Trials, LCAC 101 can now begin preparing for delivery.

«The first operational production unit for the next-generation landing craft, LCAC 101, performed well having incorporated lessons learned from the recent Craft 100 at-sea trials», said Tom Rivers, amphibious warfare program manager for Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships. «LCAC 101 successfully demonstrated the ability to operate both on and off cushion at full load through the full range of speed, payload and maneuvering requirements».

The SSC is the evolutionary replacement for 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.

SSCs are constructed at Textron Systems, Marine & Land Systems in Slidell, Louisiana, and are built with similar configurations, dimensions, and clearances to legacy LCAC, ensuring the compatibility of this next-generation air cushion vehicle with existing well deck equipped amphibious ships, as well as Expeditionary Transfer Dock and Expeditionary Sea Bases. Textron has delivered Craft 100, has completed testing on LCAC 101, and is currently in production on 12 craft with an additional 10 on contract.

As one of the Defense Department’s largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships, boats and craft.

 

General Characteristics

Propulsion Four gas turbine engines
Length (with skirt) 91.80 feet/27.98 meters
Beam (with skirt) 48.25 feet/14.71 meters
Speed 35+ knots/40+ mph/65 km/h
Range (mission radius of at least) 25 NM/29 miles/46 km
Crew Five
Load 74 short tons/67 metric tons

 

Navy

Ship to Shore Connector

Textron Systems Corporation, a Textron Inc. company, announced on March 9, 2020 the successful delivery of its first next-generation air cushion vehicle, Ship to Shore Connector (SSC), Craft 100 to the U.S. Navy on February 6.

Textron Systems first next generation Ship to Shore Connector delivered

«We are proud to deliver the first of many Ship to Shore Connectors to the U.S. Navy», said Henry Finneral, Senior Vice President, Textron Systems. «This delivery is the result of the dedication by the joint Navy and industry team and will provide the Navy with a needed capability to rapidly transport material, personnel and humanitarian assistance to shore lines».

Prior to delivery, Craft 100 underwent integrated testing to demonstrate the capability of its fly-by-wire steering, electrical and propulsion systems and completed its Acceptance Trials in December 2019.

As the replacement for the existing fleet of Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) vehicles, follow-on SSCs will primarily transport weapon systems, equipment, cargo, and personnel through tough environmental conditions to the beach. The craft can travel at a sustained 35 knots/40 mph/65 km/h and shares less than one percent of legacy LCAC original parts, representing a true upgrade for the LCAC forces at Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 4, ACU 5, and NBU 7. The SSC also has an increased payload and service life of 30 years.

The SSC is constructed at Textron Systems in New Orleans and built with similar configurations, dimensions, and clearances to existing LCAC, ensuring the compatibility of this next-generation air cushion vehicle with existing well deck-equipped amphibious ships, as well as Expeditionary Transfer Dock and Expeditionary Sea Bases.

The Navy will continue to utilize Craft 100 as a test and training craft. There are currently thirteen additional SSCs in various states of production. Builder’s Trials for Craft 101 are scheduled for the first quarter of this year, with Acceptance Trials following in the spring.

 

SPECIFICATIONS

Payload 74 t/ 163,142 lbs.
Speed 35 knots/40 mph/65 km/h at Sea State 3
Deck Area 67 x 24 feet (1,608 sq feet)/20.42 x 7.32 m (149.39 sq m)
Operating Crew Four (pilot, co-pilot, load master and deck engineer)
Overall Height 5 feet/1.52 m
Overall Length 92 feet/28.04 m
Overall Beam 48 feet/14.63 m
Propulsion Four gas turbine engines
Service Life 30 years