Friday, March 4, 2011

U.S. Navy Seeks New Landing Craft Proposals

An updated draft solicitation for Ship-to-Shore-Connector (SSC) landing craft was issued March 1 by the U.S. Navy's Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). The draft request for proposals begins the process of building a replacement for the Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) amphibious craft that first entered service in the mid-1980s.
Two primary industry efforts have been underway to compete for the new landing craft. SSC Team Textron is led by Textron Marine and Land Systems - builders of most existing LCACs - and supported by L3 Communications and Alcoa.
Team SSC is anchored by Marinette Marine working with Boeing, Oceaneering and Griffon Hoverwork, Both teams have put together proposals to build up to 73 SSCs over eight years. The first SSC is to be delivered in 2018. The request asks for bids for the first eight production SSCs to be delivered by 2020.
Proposals already shown by both teams feature air-cushioned craft with similar configurations to the LCACs. As with the earlier craft, the SSC will be 91.8 feet long and have a beam of 47.8 feet. The new craft is to carry a load of 67 metric tons - 13 more than the LCAC - have a crew of two rather than three, use a simpler and more efficient drive train, and have better environmental and communications systems.
Industry teams have until March 31 to respond.

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