US Navy receives 13th Ship to Shore Connector LCAC 112 for improved beach landings.

On March 13, 2025, the U.S. Navy received the 13th Ship to Shore Connector (SSC) unit, the Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) 112, from Textron Systems. This followed acceptance trials conducted by the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey, which evaluated the craft’s compliance with operational and technical requirements. LCAC 112 is part of the Ship to Shore Connector (SSC) program, developed to replace the existing fleet of Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) vehicles while maintaining compatibility with amphibious operations and incorporating updates in materials, propulsion, and onboard systems.
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The Ship to Shore Connector (SSC) program was initiated to replace the Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) fleet, which had been in service since the 1980s. (Picture source: US Navy)

LCAC 112 retains the same footprint and well deck compatibility as its predecessor fleet. It is designed to transport payloads ranging from 60 to 75 tons, including weapon systems, vehicles, cargo, and personnel from amphibious ships to shore. The craft can operate in diverse environmental conditions, including over-the-beach landings. The SSC is designed for integration with well deck-equipped amphibious ships such as the LHD-1, LPD-17, LSD-41, and LSD-49 classes, as well as Expeditionary Transfer Docks (ESDs). It can function in both displacement and air-cushion modes within well decks, ensuring compatibility with shipboard deployment and recovery procedures.

The Ship to Shore Connector (SSC) program was initiated to replace the Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) fleet, which had been in service since the 1980s. The original LCAC-class design facilitated high-speed over-the-beach operations but required increasing maintenance as structural fatigue and component wear accumulated over decades of use. Recognizing the need for a replacement craft that could fulfill the same role while addressing reliability and supportability concerns, the Navy issued a request for proposals in 2010. Textron Systems was awarded the contract in 2012 for detailed design and construction. The first test and training craft, Craft 100, was delivered in 2020 for evaluation and crew training.

By 2015, the first Service Life Extension Program (SLEP)-modified LCAC units had reached their 30-year service mark, leading to a phased retirement process. The transition to the SSC began in 2019, and the first operational SSC unit, LCAC 101, was delivered in August 2020. Subsequent deliveries included LCAC 102 through LCAC 106 between 2021 and 2023, with additional craft scheduled for future production under serial procurement contracts. The Navy’s LCAC inventory declined until 2023, after which SSC production was expected to restore fleet numbers. The Navy has contracted for a total of 73 SSC units. As of 2012, 80 LCAC units remained in inventory, with 39 completed SLEP conversions, seven in progress, and four awaiting induction.

The Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) was introduced into service in 1986 to enhance amphibious transport capabilities, enabling the movement of weapon systems, equipment, cargo, and personnel from amphibious ships to shore, including areas without developed port infrastructure. The LCAC program emerged from the JEFF A and JEFF B hovercraft prototypes. Bell Aerospace’s JEFF B design was selected for full-scale production, featuring two ducted rear propellers. The first LCAC was delivered in 1984, achieving Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in 1986. Full-rate production followed in 1987, with Textron Marine & Land Systems and Avondale Gulfport Marine as the primary manufacturers. A total of 91 LCAC units were built, with deliveries concluding in 2001.

To ensure interoperability with existing naval assets, the SSC-class maintains the same size and structural parameters as the LCAC while incorporating modifications. Its hull structure is constructed from corrosion-resistant aluminum to mitigate long-term degradation. The propulsion system includes a revised drivetrain with fewer gearboxes to enhance mechanical reliability. The electrical distribution system has been redesigned from 400 Hz to 60 Hz, aligning with shipboard power standards and improving component compatibility for maintenance and sustainment.

The SSC introduces improvements in payload capacity, system survivability, and operational range compared to the LCAC. It is configured for operations in diverse environments, including marshes, swamps, and ice. The craft includes mounting points for defensive weapons such as the M2 .50 caliber machine gun, MK19 40mm grenade launcher, and M60/M240 series 7.62mm machine guns. Additionally, it features updated command, control, communications, and navigation systems to support ship-to-shore and amphibious operations.

The SSC is powered by four Rolls-Royce MT7 gas turbines, derived from the engines used in the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, enabling speeds exceeding 35 knots under operational conditions. It has an overall length of 28 meters, a beam of 15 meters, and a cargo deck area of 149 square meters. The craft includes an enclosed personnel transport module capable of carrying up to 145 personnel or 108 casualties. The crew consists of a pilot, co-pilot, loadmaster, and deck engineer.

Air-cushioned landing craft, including the LCAC and SSC, operate using a pressurized air cushion, allowing them to hover above surfaces instead of relying on displacement hulls. This design facilitates movement across various terrains, including water, sand, ice, and tidal flats, where conventional landing craft may be restricted. The ability to operate independent of tides and water depth enables these hovercraft to reach shorelines without developed port infrastructure. These characteristics contribute to their use in military logistics and amphibious operations, as well as in disaster relief and humanitarian assistance missions requiring access to coastal areas.