The LCAC maintains 5,000 gallons of internal fuel and the thirsty girl needs 1,000 gallons per hour to operate. Each LCAC fields two ramps - the bow ramp is 28.8 feet wide and the stern ramp is 15 feet. Men and equipment and be unloaded simultaneously to allow the LCAC to return to the fleet for additional men or supplies. The craft can make 40 knots (47mph) under load making her a valuable and fast transport along with her ability to come ashore on 70% of the world's coastlines. She can cross and operate over ice, soft sand, gravel and swampland. The vehicle needs 500 yards to stop and 2000 yards to make a radius turn. The LCAC's downward airflow creates high dust levels, and if disabled, the craft is difficult to tow. She displaces 170 tons when fully loaded while weighing 87.2 tons when light and allows for the transport of 82.7 tons of cargo with her 1,809 sq ft bay. This weight limit supports 180 fully equipped troops or an Abrams main battle tank as well as a variety of armored vehicles or cargo.
In 1996 plans were made to modernize the LCAC. A standard "Service Life Extension Program" (SLEP) was approved in 2004 and called for upgrading all active LCAC's and extending their usefulness some 30 years at about $20 million each. The service program covered upgrades to the onboard electronics as well as a new buoyancy box replacement for each of the 74 craft. The expected new extended life will be from 2014 to 2027 (based on the craft's original launch date).
The primary amphibious assault vehicle used by the USMC (as of 2010) was the AAV-7A1. This tracked armored system can hold 25 troops and can also be launched from well decked ships with a speed of 43 knots but can only access 17% of the world's coast line and has an operational range of 300 miles. However, unlike the LCAC, the AAV is not an "over the horizon" assault vehicle which remains the primary characteristic of the LCAC.
With the shore-based defensive weapon systems available worldwide today, launching LCAC's up to 50 miles off shore proved to have obvious safety appeal for the US naval fleet. As the LCAC moves inland into a controlled staging area - supported by helicopters overhead - the enemy would shift its focus away from the fleet itself. A high-speed, over-the-beach craft able to make a possible tactical surprise with troops and material in tow and not exposing the fleet to enemy fire was the desired LCAC mission. Of course safety in any combat situation is impossible to control, however, and we have history to see the failings of amphibious assault craft in past wars.
The LCAC has a number of short comings; they are constructed of rubber and canvas with no armor protecting the crew or troops on board. A very large craft also provides for a very large radar image. Once on land her speed and maneuverability is greatly reduced down to 6 knots. The six gas turbines are noted as being very noisy and can be heard at a great distance. If damaged, LCACs have proven very difficult to tow and driving in reverse is taxing for the driver. Naval gunfire will be out of range to support the initial landing and the buildup of combat troops and material ashore will be slow due to the turnaround time for LCAC.
It is of note that the LCAC, and the men and women who will come to count on them, have not been tested in combat.
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