The Next-generation landing craft Air Cushion 103 completes trials.

According to a Facebook post published by Naval Sea Systems Command on November 15, 2021, the next-generation landing craft, Ship to Shore Connector (SSC), Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) 103 completed Builder’s Trials last week.
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Landing Craft, Air Cushion 103 (Picture source: Facebook account of Naval Sea Systems Command)

Builder's Trials is the Navy's first opportunity to assess the operational readiness of the craft.

LCACs are built with similar configurations, dimensions, and clearances to legacy LCAC, ensuring the compatibility of this next-generation air cushion vehicle with existing well deck-equipped amphibious ships, as well as the Expeditionary Transfer Dock.

The Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) is a class of air-cushion vehicles (hovercraft) used as landing craft by the United States Navy's Assault Craft Units and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

They transport weapons systems, equipment, cargo, and personnel of the assault elements of the Marine Air/Ground Task Force both from ship to shore and across the beach. It is to be replaced by the SSC.

It is capable of carrying 70 tons of equipment or 140 fully equipped Marines from an amphibious ship stationed 100 miles at sea, not just to the water’s edge, but over the beach.