Landing Craft Air Cushion

LCAC
A US Navy LCAC maneuvers to enter the well deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge
TypeLanding craft
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service1986–present
Production history
ManufacturerTextron Marine and Land Systems
Avondale Gulfport Marine
Unit cost$27 million (1996)
~$41 million (2015)[1]
No. built97
Specifications
Mass182 long tons (185 t) full load
Length87 feet 11 inches (26.80 meters)
Width47 feet (14 meters)
Crew5

Main
armament
Two M240B machine guns. Gun mounts will support: Mk 19 Mod 3 40 mm grenade launcher. [2]
Engine4 gas turbines
Payload capacity60 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).

  1. ^ Schmitz, LCDR K.L. "LCAC vs LCU: Are LCAC Worth the Expenditure?". United States Marine Corps, Command and Staff College. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  2. ^ Polmar, Norman (2004). The Naval Institute Guide to the Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet. ISBN 9781591146858.