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Dominance - Delivered
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I am a United States Sailor.

I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America and I will obey the orders of those appointed over me.

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Command Mission
To provide the operational commander with fully manned, trained, maintained and properly supported Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) ready to conduct prompt, sustained combat and non-combat operations.
Fact File
Landing Craft, Air Cushioned - LCAC

Description
Air cushioned vehicle for transporting, ship-to-shore and across the beach, personnel, weapons, equipment, and cargo of the assault elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force.

Features
The Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) is a high-speed, over-the-beach fully amphibious landing craft, capable of carrying a 60-75 ton payload. It is used to transport the weapons systems, equipment, cargo and personnel of the assault elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force from ship to shore and across the beach. LCAC can carry heavy payloads, such as an M-1 tank, at high speeds. The LCAC payload capability and speed combine to significantly increase the ability of the Marine Ground Element to reach the shore. Air cushion technology allows this vehicle to reach more than 70 percent of the world's coastline, while only about 15 percent of that coastline is accessible by conventional landing craft.

Background
Concept Design of the present day LCAC began in the early 1970s with the full-scale Amphibious Assault Landing Craft (AALC) test vehicle. During the advanced development stage, two prototypes where built. JEFF A was designed and built by Aerojet General in California. JEFF B was designed and built by Bell Aerospace in New Orleans, Louisiana. These two craft confirmed the technical feasibility and operational capability that ultimately led to the production of LCAC. JEFF B was selected as the design basis for today’s LCAC. The first LCAC was delivered to the Navy in 1984 and Initial Operational Capability (IOC) was achieved in 1986. Approval for full production was granted in 1987. After an initial 15-craft production competition contract was awarded to each of two companies, Textron Marine and Land Systems (TMLS) of New Orleans, La., and Avondale Gulfport Marine, TMLS was selected to build the remaining craft. A total of ninety-one LCAC have now been built. The final craft, LCAC 91, was delivered to the U.S. Navy in 2001. This craft served as the basis for the Navy’s LCAC Service Life Extension Program (SLEP). The program of record is to SLEP 72 operational craft and 1 R&D craft. Twenty-five LCACs have been SLEP'd as of 31 Aug 09 (includes the 1 R&D craft). Ten LCACs are under contract to be SLEP'd as of 31 Aug 09. L-3 Titan is under contract for three. Oceaneering Engineering Inc. is under contract for 11. LCAC first deployed in 1987 aboard USS Germantown (LSD 42). LCAC are transported in and operate from all amphibious well deck ships including LHA, LHD, LSD and LPD. The craft operates with a crew of five. In addition to beach landing, LCAC provides personnel transport, evacuation support, lane breaching, mine countermeasure operations, and Marine and Special Warfare equipment delivery.

Program Status
All of the planned 91 craft have been delivered to the Navy. A Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) is currently in progress to add service life to the craft design life of 10 years, delaying the need to replace these versatile craft. Twenty-five LCACs have completed the SLEP.

Point Of Contact
Corporate Communications Office
Naval Sea Systems Command (SEA 00D)
Washington, D.C. 20376

General Characteristics 
Builder: Textron Marine and Land Systems
Date Deployed: 1982
Propulsion: Four Vericor Power Systems ETF-40B marine gas turbines with Full Authority Digital Engine Control; 17,600 hp ; 2 shrouded reversible pitch propellers; 4 double-entry, centrifugal lift fans
Length: 91 feet 9.5 inches
Beam: 49 feet  2 inches
Displacement: 87.2 tons light; 170-182 tons with load
Speed: 50 knots (60 mph) with load
Range: 200 nautical miles
Crew: Five
Load: 60 tons / 75 ton overload
Armament: Two 12.7mm Gun mounts will support: M-2HB .50 cal. machine gun; Mk-19 Mod3 40mm grenade launcher; M-60 machine gun; M-240B 7.62mm machine gun
Electronics: Radars, Navigation: P80 BridgeMaster E Radar; Embedded GPS/Inertial (EGI) Navigation System

 
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Assault Craft Unit 5 (ACU FIVE)

P.O. Box 555161
Camp Pendleton, CA 92055-5161
QD Phone: (760)725-2219/DSN 365-2219

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