LCAC | |
---|---|
Type | Landing craft |
Place of origin | United States |
Service history | |
In service | 1986–present |
Production history | |
Manufacturer | Textron Marine and Land Systems Avondale Gulfport Marine |
Unit cost | $27 million (1996) ~$41 million (2015)[1] |
No. built | 97 |
Specifications | |
Mass | 182 long tons (185 t) full load |
Length | 87 feet 11 inches (26.80 meters) |
Width | 47 feet (14 meters) |
Crew | 5 |
Main armament | Two M240B machine guns. Gun mounts will support: Mk 19 Mod 3 40 mm grenade launcher. [2] |
Engine | 4 gas turbines |
Payload capacity | 60 short tons (up to 75 short tons in an overload condition)(54/68 metric tons) |
Operational range | 200 nmi at 40 kn (370 km at 75 km/h) without payload 300 nmi at 35 kn (550 km at 65 km/h) without payload |
Maximum speed | 40+ knots (46+ mph; 74 km/h) with full load, 70+ knots maximum speed |
The Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) is a class of air-cushioned landing craft (hovercraft) used by the United States Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). They transport weapons systems, equipment, cargo and personnel from ship to shore and across the beach. It is to be replaced in US service by the Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC).