LCAC(X) LCAC Replacement Tactical Assault Connector
This new 2005 program replaced the cancelled 2004 Heavy Lift LCAC program. Research, development, test and evaluation began in FY 2006, and the first craft IOC is projected for FY 2014, versus the first Heavy Lift LCAC which was planned for procurement in FY2009.
The Seabase To Shore Assault Connector (AC), LCAC(X) is envisioned to provide high-speed, heavy-lift for over-the-horizon maneuver, surface lift, and shipping. The LCAC SLEP is capable of lifting 72 tons in extreme environmental conditions. The Assault Connector is expected to carry up to 150 tons, thus increasing capacity without additional platforms while reducing manning requirements. One promising alternative would be 50 percent longer than the LCAC, with enhanced lift fans and propellers and composite materials technology. These design features will allow the AC a 100 percent load capacity increase in armored combat vehicles (tanks and light armored vehicles) and heavy logistics loads. With AC the same combat buildup ashore can be accomplished with half the usable beach length, thus requiring fewer assault breaching lanes.
The Landing Craft Air Cushion [LCAC] ability to ride on a cushion of air allows it to operate directly from the well decks of amphibious warships and to access more than 70 percent of the world's beaches, compared with 17 percent for conventional landing craft. Current (LCAC) become inactive in 2026. R&D is leading to a production program that will develop a new landing craft with advanced technology, designated LCAC Experimental, or LCAC (X), to preserve expeditionary and sea-based fleets of the future.
The success of many military operations, especially against the terrorist threat, requires rapid response with significant logistical support. As history progresses, many countries are refusing to allow US forces responding to a threat to stage from their territories. This requires the responding forces and logistical support for these forces to travel long distances from cooperating countries, or operate from distant conventional ships. The long distances that must be traveled restrict the ability to respond quickly to local events due to time-on-station limitations, as well as response time. Conventional ships require significant time to travel to the local area and respond.
The current Navy/Marine Sea Basing program has pointed out the need for beachable reasonably high speed marine transports that are referred to as HSCs (High Speed Connectors). The concept behind Sea Basing is to have large supply ships positioned about 200 miles offshore with troops, supplies, vehicles, etc. transported to beachheads by the HSCs.
There is a need for amphibious marine vehicles to discharge troops and cargo at beachheads that are based on newer higher speed hull designs than currently available. As an example of currently available landing craft, consider that the Navy's LCU (Landing Craft Utility) has a top speed of about 12 knots and is beachable but not amphibious.
An alternative is the LCAC (Landing Craft Air Cushion) that is not only beachable but also amphibious. The LCAC is supported by a blower pressurized air cushion. The LCAC has a full 360 degree peripheral flexible skirt that attaches to the underside of its hull and restrains the air cushion between the hull and a water or land surface. The LCAC and its like are many times referred to as hovercraft. The LCAC has a number of inherent disadvantages, to wit: 1) It does not handle rough seas well, 2) It has an inherent rough "cobblestone" ride due to pressure perturbations in its air cushion where the pressure perturbations are mainly attributed to its full 360 degree flexible seals, 3) It is very weight sensitive, 4) It can only access beachheads that have gently sloped beaches, 4) Its full 360 degree flexible seals are expensive initially and to maintain, 6) Largely due to its need for power from three 4,500 HP gas turbines that supply propulsion and blower power, it is expensive initially with a current price of over $20 million, and 7) It is very noisy due to its necessary air propellers.
In spite of these shortcomings the LCAC has been procured in reasonably large numbers due to its very valuable amphibious and 45 knot speed capabilities. The amphibious capability allows driving up onto a beach and discharging troops and cargo on dry land above the surf line.
