Marine Link
Friday, March 29, 2024
SUBSCRIBE

Lcac News

08 Nov 2023

U.S. Navy Takes Delivery of Ship to Shore Connector, Landing Craft, Air Cushion 108

Credit: U.S. Navy

The U.S. Navy took delivery of the next-generation landing craft, Ship to Shore Connector (SSC), Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) 108, from Textron Systems."These next-generation craft provide our Navy and Marine Corps team with essential agility and speed to complete their missions,” said Capt. Jason Grabelle, program manager for Amphibious Assault and Connectors Programs, Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships. “SSC provides the fleet with agility and speed to assist with current and future mission requirements.”LCACs are built with configurations…

08 Jun 2023

America's Sea Services Building Large Fleet of Small Ships and Craft

U.S. Navy Sailors aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD-48), moor a landing craft, utility during amphibious operations, off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, in March 2023. (Photo: Christopher R. Lape / U.S. Marine Corps)

Not every vessel in the U.S. Navy is built for major combat operations on the high seas. There are large numbers of boats and service craft that provide essential services to the sea services, the nation and its partners.The U.S. Navy procures about 100 small boats per year. Some of these boats are based on commercial designs, procured to a Navy developed specification that tailors the requirements to the end user needs. They are procured and managed by two Naval Sea Systems Command program offices—PMS 300 and PMS 325.Compared to warships and auxiliaries…

17 Mar 2023

US Navy Accepts Delivery of LCAC 105

A landing craft air cushion (LCAC) in operations for the U.S. Navy. (Photo: Matthew Cavenaile / U.S. Navy)

The U.S. Navy announced it accepted delivery of the next-generation landing craft, Ship to Shore Connector (SSC), Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) 105, March 8.LCACs are built with configurations, dimensions, and clearances similar to the legacy LCACs they replace – ensuring that this latest air cushion vehicle is fully compatible with existing well deck-equipped amphibious ships, the Expeditionary Sea Base and the Expeditionary Transfer Dock. LCACs are capable of carrying a 60-75 ton payload.

22 Nov 2022

New Landing Craft Delivered to the US Navy

(Photo: Textron Systems)

The U.S. Navy has taken delivery of the next generation landing craft, Ship to Shore Connector (SSC), Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) 106 following the completion of Acceptance Trials with the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey to test the readiness and capability of the craft and to validate requirements.“We are excited to deliver this next generation craft to the Navy and Marine Corps team,” said Capt. Jason Grabelle, program manager, Amphibious Assault and Connectors Programs, Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships.

25 Jul 2022

USS Whidbey Island Decommissioned

USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) (Photo: Rachael L. Leslie / U.S. Navy)

Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship namesake, USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) held a decommissioning ceremony at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Va. on July 22 before its inactivation next month.The ship’s decommissioning ceremony was held on the quay wall, alongside the moored USS Whidbey Island. The ceremony was attended by nine of her previous Commanding Officers and over 50 plankowners. “The last crew of Whidbey Island performed with great dignity and resiliency,” said Cmdr. Matt Phillips, the ship’s final commanding officer.

16 Jun 2022

Updates, Developments and Advances in Combat and Patrol Craft

SBI completed an order last December for 52 Coastal Interceptor Vessels for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (Photo: SAFE Boats)

My first visit in 2007 to the American Society of Naval Engineers’ (ASNE) Multi-Agency Craft Conference (MACC) was an eye-opener. Having built a naval architecture career with frigates, destroyers and other large naval and commercial ships, I was eager to learn of the smaller craft used by the U.S. Navy and other government and military bodies. As my flight into Norfolk, Va. descended over Chesapeake Bay, I gazed in amazement as a Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) raced toward Virginia Beach, slowed, glided up the beach and into its shore base.

15 Mar 2019

Ingalls Authenticates Keel of LHA 8

The keel laying and authentication ceremony for the America-class amphibious warship USS Bougainville (LHA 8) was held at the Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding division (HII),  yesterday (March 14).The ship’s sponsor, Ellyn Dunford, spouse of Gen. Joe Dunford, 19th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, declared the keel "truly and fairly laid" after her initials were welded onto a plate.Traditionally, keel laying marks the first step in ship construction. However, with today’s advanced modular shipbuilding, the keel laying ceremony now recognizes the joining together of a ship’s components and is a major milestone in the ship’s construction.

16 Oct 2018

Ingalls Begins Building LHA 8 for the US Navy

Paul Bosarge, a burner workleaderman at Ingalls Shipbuilding, starts fabrication of steel for the amphibious assault ship Bougainville (LHA 8). Also pictured (left to right) are Frank Jermyn, Ingalls’ LHA 8 ship program manager; Lance Carnahan, Ingalls’ steel fabrication director; U.S. Marine Corps Capt. J.D. Owens, representing Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Gulf Coast; and Ricky Hathorn, Ingalls’ hull general superintendent. (Photo: Derek Fountain/HII)

U.S. shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced its Ingalls Shipbuilding division started building the next America-class amphibious assault ship for the U.S. Navy, on Monday.The official start of fabrication on Bougainville (LHA 8) signifies that the shipyard is ready for sustained production and ready to move forward with the construction of the 257-meter warship.“The start of Bougainville, our 16th large-deck amphib, allows us to continue the serial production of these great ships,” said Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias.

20 Mar 2018

US Navy: 355-Ship Fleet is the Mandate, Funding It is Fuzzy

(U.S. Navy photo by Morgan K. Nall)

As Congress wrestles with the budget, there is at least a bipartisan consensus that defense spending should grow, and that includes growing the Navy’s fleet. The current goal is 355 ships, an admirable goal, but an objective that faces many cost hurdles. The surface fleet (which excludes submarines and aircraft carriers) needs to grow in capability and capacity. The numbers of ships being procured or envisions would increase as the total n umber of ships increases, but the number in this story represents current program status.

19 Jun 2017

Ingalls Bags $3 Bln for Bougainville (LHA 8) Build

Construction of the amphibious assault ship Bougainville (LHA 8) is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2018, and delivery is expected in 2024. (Image: HII)

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) said its Ingalls Shipbuilding division has been awarded a $3 billion contract for the detail design and construction of the new U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship Bougainville (LHA 8). Ingalls was awarded the original long-lead material contract for the third ship in the America (LHA 6) class on June 30, 2016. “Our shipbuilders do an outstanding job building large-deck amphibious warships,” Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias said. Construction is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2018, and delivery is expected in 2024.

14 Jun 2017

US Navy: Bigger is Better, but at What Cost?

U.S. Navy forces and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force routinely train together to improve interoperability and readiness to provide stability and security for the Indo-Asia Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Z.A. Landers)

The U.S. Navy has a balanced fleet, but it wants to grow bigger and better. Will the budget allow both? Maritime Reporter's March 2017 cover story on the U.S. Navy was all about the numbers. There exists several plans to grow the fleet beyond the current number of 308 ships, the Mitre recommendation of 414 ships, the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessment 340-ship proposal, and the Navy’s decision to grow the fleet to 355 ships, and the Trump administration’s 350. With so many numbers being bandied about, there are even more suggestions on how to get there.

30 Jan 2017

NASSCO starts construction of ESB 5

On Wednesday, January 25, General Dynamics NASSCO, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), began construction on a fifth ship for the U.S. Navy’s Expeditionary Transfer Dock (ESD)/Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) program. Designed to provide advanced flexibility and capability for sea-to-shore missions, the newest ESB will include a 52,000 square-foot flight deck, fuel and equipment storage, repair spaces, magazines, mission planning spaces and accommodations for up to 250 personnel. Serving as a ‘pier at sea,’ the 784-foot-long ship is also designed to support MH-53 and MH-60 helicopters and MV-22 tilt rotor aircraft. The ship, ESB 5, is the fifth to be added to a contract between NASSCO and the U.S.

27 Aug 2014

Textron Awarded $22-M Navy LCAC Contract Modification

The US Department of Defense informs that Textron Inc., New Orleans, Louisiana, is being awarded a $21,904,620 modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-12-C-2401) for the construction of Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) 101 of the ship-to-shore connector (SSC) program. DoD explains that the SSC program is the functional replacement for the existing fleet of LCAC vehicles, which are nearing the end of their service life. It is an air cushion vehicle designed for a 30-year service life. Its mission is to land surface assault elements in support of operational maneuver from the sea, at over-the-horizon distances, while operating from amphibious ships and mobile landing platforms.

06 Aug 2014

USNS John Glenn Completes Final Contract Trials

USNS John Glenn (MLP 2), successfully completed Final Contract Trials (FCT) off the coast of Manchester, Washington July 31. During the trials, the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey along with the ship's crew tested the vessel's various hull, mechanical, and electrical systems to demonstrate that the ship meets Navy standards and requirements, and is materially ready to perform all of its slated in-service missions. John Glenn, the second of the Navy's Mobile Landing Platforms (MLP), was constructed by General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO). Since delivering to the Navy from NASSCO in March, her crew has moved onboard and begun training on the ship's systems in preparation for these trials.

19 Jun 2014

US Navy Build Programs Face Budget Pressure

(U.S. Navy photo by Shelby F. W. West/Released)

Ship construction programs move ahead, but it’s not smooth sailing. Navies and Coast Guards everywhere face budgetary pressure, even in the U.S. which has the largest Navy in the world. The balance between desire for capacity and capability and pressure for affordability has never been more acute with the precarious budgetary issues presented by declining defense budgets, sequestration, continuing resolutions and government shutdowns. Even so, there are ongoing major construction efforts to include large nuclear aircraft carriers and submarines…

17 Jun 2014

DoD Awards $36-Million LCAC Contracts to L-3 Unidyne

Is a $22,231,067 firm-fixed-priced contract for the service life extension program (SLEP) for four landing craft, air-cushioned (LCAC) craft in fiscal 2014, 2015 and 2016. The LCAC SLEP will extend the service life from 20 to 30 years, sustain/enhance craft capability, replace obsolete electronics, repair corrosion damage, reduce life cycle cost by improving reliability and maintainability, increase survivability, and establish a common configuration baseline. The LCAC SLEP scope of effort includes repair and upgrade of the buoyancy box, gas turbine engine replacement, installation of a new skirt, installation of an integrated C4N equipment package, and accomplishment of selected craft alterations and repair work.

04 Mar 2014

Textron Choose IBASEt Manufacturing Software

iBASEt, developers of Solumina’s Product Lifecycle Execution (PLE) software suite say that Textron Systems operating unit Textron Marine & Land Systems, has selected Solumina’s Manufacturing Execution System (MES) to streamline manufacturing operations for its work on the U.S. Navy’s Ship to Shore Connector (SSC) air cushion vehicle. IBASEt inform that the  SSC is the evolutionary replacement for the Navy’s existing fleet of Landing Craft, Air Cushioned (LCAC) vehicles, which are nearing the end of their service life. Since Solumina captures all the manufacturing data during the entire product’s manufacturing lifecycle, detailed manufacturing intelligence is easily accessible through dashboards, graphs and reports at the click of a button.

30 May 2013

Engineers Put Next-Generation U.S. Navy Ships to the Test

Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division's (NSWCCD) Lawrence Snyder, naval architect; and Ben Ridenour, mechanical engineer; check on the Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC) model connected underneath Carriage Two between tests in the David Taylor Model Basin, April 22 - May 17. (U.S. Navy photo by Monica McCoy)

Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division (NSWCCD) engineers conducted preliminary Ship to Shore Connector (SSC) seaworthiness model tests in the David Taylor Model Basin, April 22 - May 17. SSC is the replacement for the Navy's existing fleet of Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) vehicles, which are nearing the end of their service life. SSCs - like the LCACs they replace - will be primarily used to haul vehicles, heavy equipment, and supplies through varied environmental conditions from amphibious ships to over the beach.

22 Aug 2013

CNO Sets Out Fleet Navigation Plan

CNO Adm. Jonathan Greenert on ship visit: Photo credit USN

Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert, charts the course for the US Navy 2014 – 2018. The CNO explains that Sailing Directions assist mariners in planning a long voyage by describing the destination, providing guidance on which routes to take, and identifying the conditions, cautions, and aids to navigation along the way. CNO’s Sailing Directions likewise provide a vision, tenets, and principles to guide our Navy as we chart a course to remain ready to meet current challenges…

21 Oct 2013

FRC International Launch Dynamic Navigation for High Speed Craft

Photo: FRC International

FRC International is launching the innovative DYNAV (DYnamic NAVigation) system for high speed craft at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden, October 29-30. All individuals and organizations operating planing craft from SAR, navy, special forces, coast guard, law enforcement, renewables and the commercial sector are invited to attend the DYNAV launch event. This will be an excellent opportunity for international RIB & HSC professionals, boat builders, equipment manufacturers and industry to come together with the objective of improving sefarer safety on fast craft.

07 Jan 2014

A Closer Look at Dynamic Navigation for High Speed Craft

FRC International launched the innovative ‘DYNAV’ dynamic navigation system for high speed craft at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden in October. The DYNAV launch event enabled attendees from Scandinavia and Europe to come together with the objective of improving seafarer safety, operational performance and interoperability on fast craft. Professional sectors organizations included Search & Rescue, Navy, Special Forces, Coast Guard, law enforcement, maritime pilots, maritime legislators, training organisation and boat builders.

09 Jan 2014

BAE to Drydock 'USS Wasp'

USS Wasp: Photo credit USN

The Department of Defense has issued a $13,895,899 modification to a previously awarded Navy contract to BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, Norfolk, Va., for the warship's dry-docking planned maintenance, which includes maintenance, alterations, and modifications. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Va., and is expected to be completed by November 2014. USS Wasp was built by the Ingalls Shipbuilding division of Litton in Pascagoula, Mississippi. She and her sister ships are the first specifically designed to accommodate new Landing Craft…

30 Jan 2014

Navy to Christen Second Mobile Landing Platform

U.S. Navy photo

The U.S. Navy said it will christen Mobile Landing Platform (MLP) John Glenn Feb. 1, during a 1 a.m. PST ceremony in San Diego, Calif. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert, will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Lyn Glenn, daughter of John Glenn, will serve as the ship's sponsor. Upon delivery to the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC), John Glenn will be designated as a United States Naval Ship (USNS), and will have a core crew of 34 civilian mariners who will operate and navigate the ship.