On July 21, the US Marine Corps officially “unveiled” the most modern weapon called Ultra Heavy-Lift Amphibious Connector, abbreviated as UHAC. This is an amphibious tank, designed as a hybrid between a centipede leg and a tank, can operate both on sea and land, has the ability to block waves 3 meters high and move extremely flexibly. compared to other weapons of the same type.
Propυlsioп: 4x Allied-Sigпal TF-40B gas tυrbiпes
Armameпt: 2x Gυп moυпts will sυpport M2HB .50 Cal machiпe gυп; M240 7.62 mm machiпe gυп; MK-19 MOD3 40 mm greпade Laυпcher
Speed: 40+ kпots (46+ mph; 74.08 kph) with fυll load.
Raпge: 300 miles
Crew: Five
Load: 60 toпs
The Laпdiпg Craft Air Cυshioп, or LCAC, is υsed primarily by the U.S. Mariпe Corps to traпsport troops aпd eqυipmeпt from amphibioυs ships to operatioпs ashore. The LCAC is the oпly traпsport that caп traпsport aп M-1 Abrams taпk from aп amphibioυs ship to the beach.
The Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) stands as a high-speed, fully amphibious landing craft designed for over-the-beach operations, boasting the capacity to carry a substantial 60-75 ton payload. The LCAC’s remarkable payload capability and speed synergize to significantly enhance the Marine Ground Element’s capacity to swiftly reach the shore. Leveraging air cushion technology, this vehicle can access over 70 percent of the world’s coastline, a capability that far surpasses the limited accessibility of conventional landing craft, which can navigate only about 15 percent of those coastal areas.
The conceptual design phase of the present-day LCAC traces back to the early 1970s, initiated with the full-scale Amphibious Assault Landing Craft (AALC) test vehicle. Advancing into the development stage, two prototypes were constructed. JEFF A, crafted by Aerojet General in California, and JEFF B, designed and built by Bell Aerospace in New Orleans, Louisiana. Both prototypes validated the technical feasibility and operational capability, paving the way for the production of the LCAC. JEFF B became the chosen design basis for the LCAC we recognize today.
The inaugural LCAC was delivered to the Navy in 1984, achieving Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in 1986. Full production approval was granted in 1987. Following an initial 15-craft production competition contract awarded to Textrop Marine and Land Systems (TMLS) of New Orleans, LA, and Avondale Gulfport Marine, TMLS emerged as the selected builder for the remaining craft. In total, ninety-one LCACs have been constructed, with the final craft, LCAC 91, delivered to the U.S. Navy in 2001.
This craft has laid the foundation for the Navy’s LCAC Service Life Extension Program (SLEP). The program’s objective is to extend the service life of 72 operational crafts and 1 Research and Development (R&D) craft. As of October 10, 2013, forty-six LCACs have undergone SLEP (including the 1 R&D craft), and contracts are in place to complete SLEP for an additional seven LCACs through FY2013. An extra twenty are slated for SLEP through FY2018, contributing to a total Program of Record encompassing 72 operational SLEP crafts and 1 R&D SLEP craft.
The LCAC first saw deployment in 1987 aboard USS Germantown (LSD 42). These crafts are transported to and operate from all amphibious well-deck ships, including LHA, LHD, LSD, and LPD. Operating with a crew of five, the LCAC has become an integral component of naval operations.
In addition to its role in beach landings, the LCAC serves a multifaceted purpose, providing personnel transport, evacuation support, lake breaching, mine countermeasure operations, and facilitating the delivery of Marine and Special Warfare equipment.
All 91 planned crafts have been successfully delivered to the Navy. Currently, a Service Life Extension Program is underway, aiming to add 10 years of service life to the craft’s design life, effectively postponing the need for their replacement and ensuring continued versatility.
Recognizing the evolving needs, Textrop, Inc. was awarded a contract on July 6, 2012, for a new Ship to Shore Connector (SSC) craft. This innovative craft is intended to replace the retiring LCAC, aligning with the Navy’s commitment to maintaining a state-of-the-art fleet.