ACU crews to run LCAC 101 trials

Textron Marine and Land Systems, operated out of Slidell, La., began at-sea testing of its first Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC), and was awarded a $7.9M modification award to an existing contract to begin procuring long-lead materials for FY 2017-18 craft. The SSC, which looks similar to the Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) it is replacing, improves on the legacy craft by adding a fly-by-wire control system, new drive and propulsion system, and more powerful engines, while also reducing the number of parts to simplify logistics and maintenance requirements. LCAC 100, the first craft in the class, got underway in a bayou near the East New Orleans shipyard April 10. Textron pilots were conducting testing while tethered to a ramp ahead of time to prepare for the first in-water test, and official builder’s trials would soon follow. After a couple of week, Textron will address any deficiencies, and move into Navy acceptance trials. Those trials will be run by LCAC crews from Assault Craft Units (ACU) 4 and 5 from Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City, Fla. LCAC 100 will be preliminarily accepted by the Navy and transferred to a test facility in Panama City for more tests. LCAC 101, the first of six, is set to come off the production line by the end of April, and delivered in the fall to ACU4. Over the next two years, Textron will ramp up to build eight per year - one every six weeks. Textron is currently under contract for crafts 100-108. On April 13, the Navy awarded Textron a modification to the initial contract to buy long-lead materials for LCACs 109-112. (Source: USNI News 04/17/18) In February 1986, ASU4 was commissioned in Panama City. On March 18, 1987, ACU4 accepted delivery of the Atlantic Fleet's first LCAC, which were designed to operate from every welldeck-configured amphibious ship. The LCAC's mission was to deliver a 60-ton payload to a designated beachhead at speeds in excess of 35 knots.