The Navy has awarded Textron $314.3 million for the Ship to Shore Connector hovercraft program for amphibious assault.

The Department of Defense on Friday announced the contract award, which covers "procurement of additional long lead time material" for the program, as well as prefabrication activities and initial procurement for LCAC vessels in various states of development.

The SSC Program is a replacement for existing hovercraft that are nearing the end of their service life, many of which have been operating for over 30 years or more.

The LCAC 100 Ship-to-Shore Connector is designed to be a improved version of current landing hovercraft used for delivering vehicles, troops and equipment onto hostile landing zones.

The 100 is capable of ferrying and unloading up to 73 tons of equipment and has more powerful engines, allowing for faster cruising speeds.

Landing assault hovercraft are highly useful due to their high speed and ability to pull directly onto the beach, allowing rapid deployment of vehicles as soon as it reaches shore.

It is also useful in a evacuation vehicle role for wounded or withdrawing troops. Various forms of the LCAC have been in use by the U.S. since 1984.

They are primarily for unloading cargo and personnel but typically carry several machine guns and automatic grenade launchers for self-defense and landing zone suppression purposes.

The new contract runs through July 2023, with the Navy obligating $235 million to Textron at the time of award from fiscal 2017, 2018 and 2019 shipbuilding and conversion funds.

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