Navy Accepts Delivery of Ship-to-Shore Connector, Landing Craft, Air Cushion 118
Navy Accepts Delivery of Ship-to-Shore Connector, Landing Craft, Air Cushion 118 From PAE Maritime Communications
New Orleans – The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of a Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC), Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) 118, from Textron Systems, Oct. 28, marking the fourth SSC delivered this calendar year and advancing the Navy-Marine Corps team’s amphibious fleet modernization.
The delivery moves another next-generation landing craft into the fleet integration process, supporting the Navy’s work to strengthen the ship-to-shore capability Sailors and Marines need to move personnel, vehicles, and equipment during amphibious operations. “Delivering LCAC 118 moves us closer to providing the modern ship-to-shore capability our Sailors and Marines need,” said Capt. Chris Causee, program manager for the Amphibious Assault and Connectors Program Office. “Our Navy and industry team remains focused on delivering craft, supporting fleet integration, and preparing these assets for operations. We are building on this progress to give amphibious commanders greater flexibility to move and sustain combat power ashore.”
Prior to delivery, LCAC 118 successfully completed rigorous Acceptance Trials conducted by the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey. These trials validated the craft’s overall material readiness and operational performance against strict Navy design and program requirements.
The SSC program is replacing the Navy’s legacy LCAC fleet, restoring and expanding the critical over-the-beach maneuver capability essential to modern amphibious operations. LCAC 118 increases the Navy’s capacity to move personnel, heavy armored vehicles, and equipment across contested littoral zones in support of Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO) and global crisis response. The steady delivery of landing craft in serial production, with LCACs 119 through 131 currently under various stages of construction, reflects disciplined program execution and a strong, stable partnership with the maritime defense industrial base.
The SSC retains the dimensions and well deck compatibility of the legacy LCAC while delivering improved reliability and maintainability. Fully compatible with well deck-equipped amphibious ships, the craft carries a 60- to 75-ton payload and transports weapon systems, vehicles, cargo and assault personnel across open ocean and over the beach.
The delivery of LCAC 118 underscores the Navy’s commitment to building America’s Fleet of the Future. For over 250 years, American naval power has projected strength globally, operating forward 24/7, 365 days a year. This operational tempo demands continuous capability, and the Fleet of the Future is our answer.
The Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) for Maritime is the single accountable organization for delivering surface ships for the U.S. Navy. This new centralized organizational construct will empower leaders with broader scope and greater authority to accelerate delivery of combat capability and ensure acquisition speed and discipline are driven by what the warfighter needs, when they need it.
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