LCAC 100 project yet to achieve IOC as E-SLEP gets underway
It will be expected that the new SSCs will offer the USN an improved capability to operate in a more contested environment providing ship-to-shore, shore-to-shore and ship-to-ship logistics support. By riding an air cushion LCAC vessels can access 70% of coastlines as they are not affected by tides, surf conditions or beach gradients. (Photo: Textron)
The US Navy’s (USN’s) Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC) project that is procuring new Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) vessels for its amphibious ships has still to attain an. Meanwhile the Extended-Service Life Extension Programme (E-SLEP) for legacy LCAC vessels is ramping up deliveries.
A total of nine new Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) 100-class vessels have been delivered to the US Navy’s (USN) Program Executive Office Ships at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Panama City Beach as part of the the maritime force’s Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC) project. The Initial Operating Capability (IOC) was due to have been achieved after the delivery of six LCACs to the USN.
‘The SSC program has not yet reached IOC,” a US Navy spokesperson told Shephard, ‘The six craft required to achieve IOC have been received by ACU-4 [Assault Craft Unit 4], and the program is progressing with
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Navy expands non-standard acquisitions to rapidly field emerging technologies]()
US Navy expands non-standard acquisitions to rapidly field emerging technologies
The US Navy is increasing the use of OTA obligations to accelerate the procurement of seabed-subsea, littoral, expeditionary and uncrewed solutions.
-
![Can Portugal solve NATO’s uncrewed systems development challenge?]()
Can Portugal solve NATO’s uncrewed systems development challenge?
NATO has spent more than a decade building one of the world’s most sophisticated maritime uncrewed experimentation ecosystems, but still lacks a way to translate this testing into alliance-wide operational capability. Portugal now believes it has the answer.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Schiebel’s frigate-first strategy indicates a shift in UAV competition]()
Eurosatory 2026: Schiebel’s frigate-first strategy indicates a shift in UAV competition
Schiebel is pursuing opportunities in the UK and France while leveraging its integration with Naval Group’s FDI frigate programme to create new naval business across Europe.
