Surface Navy 2016: Textron, navy exploring in-water launch ramps for new hovercraft

[Zarvan]

The USN's SSC, shown here in an artist's rendering, is to replace its legacy fleet of LCACs, with the first SSC expected in 2017. Source: Textron Systems
The US Navy and contractor Textron Systems have discussed adding an in-water launch capability for the service's emerging Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC) hovercraft fleet, but likely after initial production craft are delivered.

The US Marine Corps (USMC) hopes to launch its Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACVs) from the SSCs before the hovercraft reach shore - because the ACVs are not expected to be capable of traversing the distances that a USN 'seabase' would keep from a shoreline.

"From a technical standpoint [adding the ramp] is not a super hard thing to do," Tom Walmsley, vice-president and general manager for Textron, told reporters on 13 January at the Surface Navy Association's annual symposium.

Textron and the USN have begun exploring what needs to be done to push the ramp down over the hovercraft's cushioned skirt, Walmsley said. The company has also explored issues such as the craft's buoyancy as a vehicle nears its edges.

In discussions with the USN it was decided not to implement an in-water launching ramp early in production because officials did not want to "disrupt the programme before delivering the first craft", he said.

The first production-model SSC, LCAC 100, is a test and trials craft that is scheduled for delivery in 2017. The second craft is also in production and scheduled for delivery about three months later.

A total of four of a potential nine craft are under contract so far, and the option for the other five is expected to be exercised this year, Walmsley said. Nine craft under low-rate initial production are to be delivered by 2020.

The SSC is meant to supplant ageing Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) hovercraft, the original prototypes for which date back to the 1970s and were designed with a 20-year service life. The USN hopes to buy 73 SSCs (a one-for-one replacement with one craft for testing) for a USD47 million average per unit cost and achieve an initial operational capability in 2020.

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Surface Navy 2016: Textron, navy exploring in-water launch ramps for new hovercraft | IHS Jane's 360