Textron Marine Awarded $117.4 Million Navy LCAC Contract
A U.S. Navy contract totalling $117,384,000 has been awarded to Textron Marine Systems (TMS), of New Orleans, La., for the production of seven Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) vehicles and related equipment. This work continues production activity at TMS well into 1996.
This latest contract brings the number of amphibious craft designed and built by Textron to 76. Of that total, 41 LCACs have already been delivered to the Navy, one is currently being tested and 34 are in production or on order.
"The LCACs continue to perform well beyond contract requirements. The craft, which rides on a cushion of air, can operate independently of water depth and underwater obstacles. Seventeen of the 88-foot long LCACs were deployed to the Persian Gulf," said TMS president John J. Kelly.
The LCACs are stationed in U.S. Navy/Marine Corps Assault Craft Units at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and Little Creek, Va. When deployed at sea, three to four LCACs can be carried aboard the Navy's latest amphibious warfare ships, the Wasp (LHD 1) and Whidbey Island (LSD 41) classes.
The contract reflects the Navy's ongoing, long-term commitment to a high-speed, high-technology amphibious landing craft. Only 17 percent of the world's coastlines are currently accessible by conventional landing craft. The LCACs, however, can rapidly carry troops, weapons and equipment from support ships over the horizon to 70 percent of the world's beaches.
During the preceding four years of government procurements, TMS was selected by the Navy as the lead LCAC contractor. With this contract award, TMS is the sole producer of the LCAC for the government's FY 1992 acquisition.
One of the nation's leading designers and builders of advanced technology air cushion vehicles and surface effect ships since 1961, Textron Marine Systems, Division of Textron, Inc., serves both military and commercial interests and maintains a significant commitment to independent research and development of air cushion vehicles.
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