Textron hands over next-gen SSC
Textron Systems announced on 9 March that it has delivered its first Ship to Shore Connector (SSC), Craft 100 to the US Navy (USN).
The SSC will replace the current fleet of Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) vehicles in USN service, which transport a range of weapon systems, equipment, cargo and personnel.
Henry Finneral, senior VP at Textron Systems, said that the SSC ‘will provide the Navy with a needed capability to rapidly transport material, personnel and humanitarian assistance to shore lines.’
SSC is capable of reaching a maximum speed of 35kt. Textron has also increased the payload of the craft and extended its service life to 30 years.
Production of the vehicle is to be carried out at Textron facilities in New Orleans, Louisiana.
More from Naval Warfare
-
Australia is ramping up its uncrewed surface fleet as Sea Archer lines up for key requirement
As advances in uncrewed technology increasingly shape Australia’s maritime future, Shephard spoke with the country’s head of navy capability and a Leidos Australia executive about the operational advantages behind the shift.
-
What does Saab’s operations shake-up mean for its new ‘Naval’ chapter?
Saab’s merger of its Kockums and Naval Combat Systems divisions into a single business area called Naval, effective 1 April 2026, aims to enhance efficiency, innovation and competitive positioning in the naval sector.
-
Iran and the future of amphibious operations: crewed and uncrewed solutions
Amphibious operations are a very unique type of military operation, and global defence industries are developing new solutions to enhance capabilities and efficiency.
-
US Navy to acquire and test uncrewed surface vessel prototypes by the end of FY2026
The new autonomous surface vessels are planned to be operationally fielded in FY2027, following the completion of on-water trials.