US Navy LCAC (Landing Craft Air Cushion) Hovercraft

°THE LANDING CRAFT, AIR CUSHION (LCAC) transports weapons systems, equipment, cargo and personnel of the assault elements of the Marine Air/Ground Task Force both from ship to shore and across the beach. The LCAC is a high-speed, over-the-beach fully amphibious landing craft capable of carrying a 60-75 ton payload at speeds of over 40 knots. These vehicles, commonly used in the United States Navy, were first introduced in the 1980¡¯s and still being used to this day. As evidenced by successful operations in Somalia, Bangladesh, Liberia, Haiti, Lebanon, Iraq and Kuwait, the LCAC is combat-proven. It has also proven invaluably in times of disaster, including tsunami relief and hurricane rescue operations.