New Navy ship-to-shore connector transports tanks, brings new amphibious warfare era

Artist's impression of the U.S. Navy's first newly built Ship-to-Shore Connector maritime warfare craft (Textron Systems) The Navy's first newly-built Ship-to-Shore Connector maritime warfare craft launched on the water earlier this year, paving the way for stepped up production and introducing a new era in modern amphibious warfare for the Marines. Naval Sea Systems Command recently awarded a deal to Ship-to-Shore connector-maker Textron to acquire long-lead early procurement materials for the new fleet of watercraft. The new SSC mobile amphibious connectors are able to transport larger armored vehicles, such as an Abrams tank, from amphibious assault ships to combat ashore. The new Navy craft brings an unprecedented ability to The new SSCs are designed to replace the existing fleet of Landing Craft Air Cushions (LCAC) able to move Marines, weapons and supplies from ship to shore for amphibious operations. The connectors will integrate emerging computer technology able to reduce the needed crew size and perform more functions independently.