Textron Systems has secured a $353.9 million deal from the US Navy to build three more LCAC 100-class hovercraft, as part of the service’s ongoing efforts to modernize its amphibious fleet. This latest order builds on a major contract from August 2023, which called for the production of up to 73 of these next-generation vessels to phase out the Navy’s legacy LCACs that have been in use since the 1980s.
The LCAC 100 hovercraft is engineered for speed, mobility, and versatility in amphibious missions. Measuring 92 feet in length (28 meters), each vessel is equipped with four Rolls-Royce MT7 gas turbines—adapted from the engines used in the Bell V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft—producing a combined 28,000 horsepower. This powerful propulsion allows the craft to travel up to 200 nautical miles at speeds of 35 knots (around 40 mph or 65 km/h).
These hovercraft also pack a punch with optional onboard weaponry, including mounted naval guns, machine guns, and grenade launchers, making them capable of operating in high-threat environments. The newly ordered units are expected to be delivered by 2031, marking a key step in the Navy’s long-term plan to upgrade its littoral transport and combat support systems.
