Textron to build more SSC hovercraft
US Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded Textron a $386.28 million contract modification to build 15 more Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC) hovercraft.
Work will be completed by January 2025 at sites in Louisiana (80%), New Jersey (8%), Ohio (8%) and Gloucester in the UK (4%).
The SSC has a top speed of 35kt and a service life of 30 years. It will replace the existing fleet of USN Landing Craft Air Cushion hovercraft, to 'land surface assault elements in support of operational manoeuvre from the sea at over-the-horizon distances while operating from amphibious ships and mobile landing platforms', the US DoD announced on 16 April.
Textron Systems announced on 9 March the delivery of its first SSC craft to the USN.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
MDL and TKMS partnership becomes sole bidder for India’s $8 billion P751 contract
The partnership is understood to be the only remaining contender for the contract which could be signed in 2026.
-
HII revenues down in 2024, but Mission Technologies arm blooms
The shipbuilder has been dealing with a pre-Covid 19 backlog as well as winning new business.
-
Egypt wins $625 million US deal to modernise its Ambassador IV fast-attack ships
The State Department said the sale will increase the Egyptian Navy's tactical capabilities.
-
US Navy seeks the best combinations of crewed vessels with commercial UAVs and USVs
The service will conduct Operation Southern Spear to identify the most appropriate manned/unmanned formations for domain awareness and counternarcotics operations.