The US Navy has accepted the delivery of several amphibious landing crafts after conducting exercises to test their readiness and capabilities.
The service revealed it has acquired Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) and Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC) Landing Craft to transport troops and military equipment from ships to operations ashore.
SSC can provide the navy and marines with added agility and speed to execute complex missions, Amphibious Warfare Programs Manager Cedric McNeal said. “With increases in performance and reliability, this next generation craft will meet the needs of the fleet for years to come,” he explained.
LCAC, meanwhile, has the capability to load 60 to 75 tons of equipment or personnel and is equipped with gun mounts that can support M2HB .50 caliber machine gun, M240 7.62 mm machine gun, and MK-19 MOD3 40 mm grenade launcher.
Other Development
Last month, the US Navy ordered 18 Coyote supersonic sea-skimming target vehicles that will allow troops to practice naval ship defenses against a simulated supersonic anti-ship cruise missile.
The service is also planning for deployment of its next-generation attack submarine by 2031. The vehicle will be used on “anti-submarine warfare missions against sophisticated threats in greater numbers.”
Furthermore, on May 27, the navy conducted a test of its new hypersonic rocket motor. Through this weapon, the military can destroy high-value targets from thousands of miles away in a matter of minutes.
“This successful SRM test represents a critical milestone leading up to the next Navy and Army joint flight test, which will take place in the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2022, and ultimately the fielding of the CPS and LRHW weapon systems,” the navy said.
