Navy to Receive First New Amphibious Craft

By Kris Osborn

Increased payload capacity, modernized engines and computer automated flight controls, industry developers said.

The first of the new Textron Marine and Land Systems-built transport craft, called a Ship-to-Shore Connector, is slated to formally deliver to the Navy at the end of this year. 

Designed to replace the existing fleet of Landing Craft Air Cushions able to move Marines, weapons and supplies from ship to shore for amphibious operations, the new SSC connectors will integrate emerging computer technology able to reduce the needed crew size and perform more functions independently.

“Were using digital flight controls and computer automation to replace the traditional yoke and pedals used by current connectors,” Bill Kisah, Vice President, Textron Marine and Land Systems.

As a result, on-board computers will quickly calculate relevant details such as wind speed and navigational information, Kisah explained.

“Instead of an older style yoke and pedal it is a joystick. We are talking 1980s-style technology and bringing it into the 2000s,” he said in an interview with Scout Warrior. .  

The new SSC’s have also moved to a lower frequency for ship electronics, moving from 400 Hertz down to 60 Hertz in order to better synchronize ship systems with Navy common standards, Textron developers explained.