Meet the Marines’ Ultra Heavy-lift Amphibious Connector

Had a look through the search, but couldn't find anything about it, so here it is. Please advise if it's already posted.

Meet the Marines’ Ultra Heavy-lift Amphibious Connector

To quote the site,

The Military Times calls it “a cross between a tank and a giant paddle boat” and that’s about as apt as you can get without comparing it to three dozen flip-flops zip-tied to a fan. Which we just did right there. “[A] future full-scale UHAC would have up to three times the payload of the Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC) and approximately the payload of a 1600-series Landing Craft Utility (LCU),” said a joint report with the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab. “It would have the same well deck footprint as an SSC with speeds twice that of an LCU. The captive air cell technology also yields a low ground pressure footprint (less than 2 psi) giving it the ability to traverse mud flats or climb over obstacles in excess of 10 feet. With a projected range of over 200 miles, UHAC could deliver forces and sustainment from well over a horizon.” It will not only be able to traverse a wider variety of beachheads but also be able to climb over 10-foot-tall sea walls. It may have a top speed of up to 20 knots, if it goes into real production.

Here's a video clip of the scale prototype in action (sorry, but I can't seem to get the video embedded):

YouTube Video

I think it looks quite fascinating, but I wonder just how practical it could be once on the beachhead. It might turn out to be a big, slow moving target.

Here you go! I have to say if that slow POS had been used during WWll the Japanese or the Germans would have killed allot more of our troops before they ever reached land. I don't like it.

originally posted by: 727Sky
Here you go! I have to say if that slow POS had been used during WWll the Japanese or the Germans would have killed allot more of our troops before they ever reached land. I don't like it.

It is not a troop carrier, and can carry up to 3 times as much payload as a LCAC.

I can see a lot of operations being cancelled due to the sea being a little too rough.

Still, someone is likely to make a lot of $$$$$$$$$$$$$ from it.

P

originally posted by: hellobruce

originally posted by: 727Sky
Here you go! I have to say if that slow POS had been used during WWll the Japanese or the Germans would have killed allot more of our troops before they ever reached land. I don't like it.

It is not a troop carrier, and can carry up to 3 times as much payload as a LCAC.

Oh so once the beach is secured then they are launched.. Sorry, for some reason I figured troops and supplies like a Normandy invasion...

hahahah I still don't like it ! This is 2014 and they are still trying to use a system of locomotion that was invented during the steamship days. I would just expect more and faster resupplies from something with a little more "PANAZE" !

SteamBoat Willie rides again……….!

I'd be impressed if it could fly-in and hover to deliver it's load..

originally posted by: 727Sky

Oh so once the beach is secured then they are launched.. Sorry, for some reason I figured troops and supplies like a Normandy invasion...

hahahah I still don't like it ! This is 2014 and they are still trying to use a system of locomotion that was invented during the steamship days. I would just expect more and faster resupplies from something with a little more "PANAZE" !

Funny enough, 727Sky, this clunker is apparently in the running to replace the LCAC... Makes no sense, with the exception of 300% more cargo capacity... I'd think that speed would be more important doing more trips in the same space of time, and probably getting a higher cargo through-put in the process...

originally posted by: Havoc40k
I'd think that speed would be more important doing more trips in the same space of time, and probably getting a higher cargo through-put in the process...

They are going to be parachuting from space and aircraft in the future, what's faster then that?

These things are probably just to haul a lot of more personalized cargo in large numbers while being escorted by smaller craft etc.

Yeah I don't think storming a beach is the in thing anymore.

a reply to: Havoc40k

I don't get this thing. Obliviously this painfully slow thing not to be used when enemy combatants are around, and in a non-combat situation there has to better, more efficient, and faster ways to deliver payloads.

:/

a reply to: Havoc40k
It's slow, probably no armor, if one of those tracks is hit with a rocket it doesn't look like it could make it to shore.
If they need something different they should ask some of the older jarheads that have landed on breaches what would work better in stead of someone who sits behind a desk and has never been shot at. Best way to talk to the old jarheads is have a cold six pack in hand, hand them one and drink one with them.

a reply to: Havoc40k

What a piece of crap. 'Ain't no way that thing can overcome a 10-foot obstacle.
Excuse me while I file this oversized, nightmare monstrosity of an amphibious vehicle along with my original opinions about the Osprey.

From my experience, the LCAC has a lot of problems in the field.

It uses way too much fuel.
When it is hovering, visibility from the cockpit is terrible.
Conditions have to be right for the LCAC to move to shore. Too steep an angle on the beach and it is a no-go. Rocky conditions are a no-go.
It requires an insane amount of maintenance and repair.
They can not operate in rough seas.