Textron Marine Systems Delivers LCAC-24 To U.S. Navy

John J. Kelly, president of Textron Marine Systems (TMS), Division of Textron Inc., recently announced the delivery of Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC)-24 to the U.S. Navy. Following remarks by Eugene E. Shoults, program manager for the Amphibious Warfare and Strategic Sealift Program (PMS 377), in a ceremony held at the Naval Coastal Systems Center in Panama City, Fla., Mr. Kelly presented LCAC-24 to Lt. Comdr.

U.H. (Jack) Rowley, Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, USN. Commander Rowley then released the craft to Lt. D.

Weid of Assault Craft Unit (ACU)- 5, located at Camp Pendelton, Calif.

LCAC-24 was ferried nonstop from the TMS shipyard in New Orleans to Panama City, Fla., the first LCAC to be delivered under a production contract awarded to TMS in 1987. Five more are scheduled to be delivered under this contract in 1990. Previously delivered LCACs are based for fleet deployment at Assault Craft Units (ACU) at Little Creek, Va., and Camp Pendleton, Calif.

According to TMS, the LCACs performed well beyond contract requirements.

In terms of speed, payload, range, and reliability and maintainability, the craft have significantly exceeded their original design requirements. They have exhibited excellent Mean-Time-Between- Failure characteristics exceeding the contract specification requirements by 500 percent.

The LCAC is an air cushion landing craft designed to carry troops, weapons and equipment at speeds in excess of 40 knots from support ships over the horizon to the beach.

It is the first significant technical improvement in waterborne landing craft since World War II and is considered a cornerstone in modernizing U.S. Navy/Marine amphibious warfare capabilities.

Textron Marine Systems has contracts to build 45 LCASs. Delivery of LCAC-24 represents the 15th provided to the U.S. Navy by TMS.

Currently, TMS has nine LCACs in construction, two in testing, and nineteen in preproduction planning.

Textron Marine Systems is the U.S. leader in design and construction of advanced technology air cushion vehicles and surface effect ships and other advanced marine craft for both military and commercial customers. Its offices and shipyard are located in eastern new Orleans.

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Maritime Reporter Magazine, page 45, May 1990

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