Navy Accepts Delivery of Ship to Shore Connector, LCAC 115

Navy Accepts Delivery of Ship to Shore Connector, LCAC 115

By Team Ships Public Affairs

NEW ORLEANS - The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of Ship to Shore Connector (SSC), Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) 115 from Textron Systems on March 10.

The delivery of LCAC 115 comes after completion of Acceptance Trials conducted by the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey, which tested the readiness and capability of the craft to effectively meet its requirements.

With delivery complete, the craft will transition for fleet integration, crew training, and certification in preparation for operational employment.

LCAC 115 increases the Navy's capacity to move personnel, vehicles, and equipment across contested littoral environments, directly supporting distributed maritime operations and global crisis response.

"LCAC 115 represents the continuation of Amphibious capability being delivered to the Fleet," said Capt. Chris Causee, program manager, Amphibious Assault and Connectors Programs, Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships. "Our focus is accelerating the transition from delivery to readiness for operational employment. Each additional connector strengthens the Navy-Marine Corps team's ability to maneuver, sustain, and respond decisively in complex environments."

The SSC program restores critical over the beach maneuver capability essential to amphibious operations. Textron Systems is in serial production for LCACs 116-129.

SSC retains the dimensions and well deck compatibility of the legacy LCAC while delivering capabilities with designs for improved reliability and maintainability. Fully compatible with well deck equipped amphibious ships, the craft carries a 60-to-75-ton payload and transports weapon systems, vehicles, cargo, and assault personnel across open ocean and over the beach.

As a Department of War acquisition program, PEO Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement of destroyers, amphibious ships and craft, and auxiliary ships, including special mission ships, sealift ships, and support ships.