The U.S. Navy has officially taken delivery of Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC) LCAC 114 from Textron Systems on August 28, 2025. The handover followed successful acceptance trials by the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey, confirming the vessel’s performance and readiness for frontline deployment.
LCAC 114 is part of the Navy’s broader effort to replace its aging Landing Craft Air Cushion fleet with next-generation connectors designed for modern expeditionary missions in contested littoral regions. The new SSC class offers improved reliability, survivability, and operational flexibility while maintaining the same size and footprint as the legacy LCACs.
The craft measures about 92 feet in length and 48 feet in width, ensuring compatibility with the well decks of amphibious ships such as the Wasp and America classes. It is powered by four Rolls-Royce MT7 gas turbine engines—adapted from the AE1107C engine used in the V-22 Osprey—delivering higher fuel efficiency, enhanced output, and lower lifecycle maintenance compared to older TF40B engines.
Equipped with modern command, control, communications, computers, and navigation systems, LCAC 114 also features a fly-by-wire control system that reduces crew workload, enhances maneuverability, and improves overall safety during amphibious operations.
