Navy slows procurement of key vessel for Marine littoral maneuvers
Story by Todd South • 2h • 3 min read
The Navy has delivered nine vessels so far to replace its aging fleet of landing craft, but those watercraft's operational status was delayed by a year due to testing delays.
The ship-to-shore amphibious connector, set to replace the existing landing craft, air cushion platform, is now expected to hit initial operational capability in September and the Navy will decide on full production by January 2028, according to the Government Accountability Office's Weapon Systems Annual Assessment, released Monday.
Once fielded, the ship-to-shore connector vessel will take on the name of the landing craft, air cushion vessel, a Vietnam War-era platform, according to the report.
The amphibious craft, which rides on a cushion of air, allows sailors and Marines to off and onload troops, vehicles, equipment and supplies rapidly from the well decks of amphibious ships.
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