Assessment of the Heavy Lift Landing Craft, Air Cushioned.
Abstract
This assessment looks at a number of alternatives for employing air-cushioned lighters in Logistics Over the Shore (LOTS) operations. The evaluation focuses on determining the suitability of the proposed Heavy Lift Landing Craft, Air Cushioned (HLLCAC) to perform a LOTS or joint LOTS role. The area of Joint Logistics Over The Shore (JLOTS) has received renewed emphasis over the past several years. The Army and Naval Services and each of the five regional Commanders in Chief (CINCs) have stated requirements for LOTS or JLOTS operations in time of conflict. This assessment evaluates the capability of the HLLCAC, and the current Landing Craft, Air Cushioned (LCAC), to perform JLOTS missions specified by two of the regional CINCs. It also explores, from a Navy LOTS perspective, whether making these lighters available for Maritime Prepositioned Force (MPF) ship discharge would reduce the time required to conduct instream or offshore operations. To aid in this analysis, a new analytic tool is introduced and utilized, the Joint Over-the-shore Transportation Estimator (JOTE). The assessment reveals that the current version of air-cushioned craft, the LCAC, is most suited for LOTS or JLOTS operations conducted inside 10 nautical miles from shore. The proposed HLLCAC would be better employed with the Amphibious Task Force beyond that distance. The assessment underscores the need for obtaining Air Cushioned Vehicle Landing Platforms which enable the LCAC to fly-on, load, and then fly-off a stable floating platform adjacent to a cargo ship.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA313340
Entities
People
- Pewter J. Thede
- Richard C. Staats
- William S. Crowder
Organizations
- LMI