Textron
begins fabrication of first Ship to Shore Connector (SSC) for the U.S.
Navy
Textron, Inc. began fabrication of the Navy's first Ship to Shore Connector
(SSC) at its New Orleans facility Nov. 17. In October, the Navy approved
Textron to start production following the SSC Production Readiness Review
during which the Navy evaluated the design maturity, availability of
materials, and industry's ability to start and sustain fabrication.
The SSC is an evolutionary replacement for the current Landing Craft,
Air Cushioned (LCAC) vehicle, and benefits from more than 20 years of
lessons learned from LCAC operations and maintenance. (Picture:
Textron)
"It's an exciting time," said Capt. Chris
Mercer, program executive office ships program manager for amphibious
warfare. "Starting production on this next generation Landing Craft,
Air Cushion (LCAC) is a significant milestone for the Navy and Marine
Corps. The craft benefits from a mature design and sound production
process, paving the way for many more craft to follow. Once delivered,
these craft will fill a critical need to recapitalize the Navy's surface
connectors."
The SSC will serve as the evolutionary replacement for the existing
fleet of LCAC vehicles, which are nearing the end of their service life.
The SSC will use more corrosion-resistant aluminum in the hull than
LCAC as well as composites in the propeller shroud assembly and shafting
to increase craft availability and lower life-cycle maintenance costs.
The SSC will be a high-speed, fully-amphibious landing craft capable
of carrying a 74-ton payload traveling at speeds of more than 35 knots.
An enclosed personnel transport module can be loaded aboard that can
hold up to 145 combat-equipped Marines or 108 casualty personnel. The
SSC will incorporate an improved skirt design, the advanced skirt, in
place of the LCAC's deep skirt, reducing drag and craft weight.
(Video:
Textron)
The SSC supports rapid movement of Marine Expeditionary
Forces from the sea base to shore and can tactically deliver personnel
and heavy equipment to trafficable terrain well beyond the beach, with
the built-in reliability to operate in the harshest littoral environments.
With 73 craft planned, the SSC will significantly enhance the capability
of Navy and Marine Corps teams to execute a broad spectrum of missions,
from humanitarian assistance and disaster response to multidimensional
amphibious assault.
