LCAC's irregular haul to Eglin

A Navy amphibious Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) hovercraft transported a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter from Pensacola to Eglin Air Force Base in NW Florida – about 50 miles. It was an irregular delivery. The CH-46 is to be used for training purposes within the Eglin Range. Images from the Air Force shows the LCAC landing at Hurlburt Field - an Air Force Special Operations base - on Feb. 24. Portions of Highway 98, which stretches along the Gulf Coast, had to be closed to allow the hovercraft to be towed on its own landing gear to Eglin 12 miles away. In transit from Pensacola, the LCAC traveled through Santa Rosa Sound to Hurlburt Field. LCACs are operated by Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City, Fla., but it’s unclear exactly from where the helicopter originated. Eglin has an unlikely history with LCACs. In 1983, the Navy sent one to the base’s McKinley Climatic Laboratory, a specialized facility that features a wide array of heating and cooling systems, steam generators, and other equipment that put vehicles through torturous climate testing. It’s unique for an LCAC to be used to transport such a large aircraft between close-by bases. CH-46 helicopters have been moved on highways using aircraft tugs or drop-deck trailers. The wetlands around Eglin - and limited number of highway-connectors - may have dictated the unconventional trip. The Navy introduced the first LCAC - USS Germantown (LSD 42) - in 1987. Currently, the Navy is developing a replacement for the LCAC - the Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC) - an air cushion craft that can accommodate larger loads than current hovercraft. The Navy expects the 73 of the SSCs to cost $4 billion. SSCs are constructed at Textron Systems, Marine & Land Systems in Slidell, La. The Navy anticipates the SSC to reach its operational capability later in 2022. The service also plans to buy the Light Amphibious Warship (LAW). The first is expected in 2023. The LAW is intended to fill a gap between these smaller hovercraft and the Marine Corps' larger L-class multipurpose amphibious warfare ships. Austal USA was awarded a contract in December 2021 to perform design studies for the Next Generation Logistics Ship (NGLS) program. The Mobile, Ala.-based Austal USA shipyard will be the prime contractor. The NGLS program represents a new class of medium-sized at-sea supply ships intended to support small surface combatants such as Littoral Combat Ships and frigates as well as the Navy’s planned Light Amphibious Warships (LAW). The mission of the NGLS fleet will include refueling, rearming, and resupply of naval assets. (The War Zone 022/25/22) Navy Hovercraft Played Helicopter Hauler For Florida Air Base (thedrive.com)