Textron Systems has received a $39.3-million contract to deliver training solutions for the US Navy Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC) program.
The SSC is an ongoing effort to raplace the service’s aging Landing Craft Air Cushions in service since the 1980s with modern amphibious systems.
Under the contract, Textron will provide operational training platforms and an associated curriculum to upskill the navy’s SSC personnel.
The package includes motion and static trainer configurations as well as advanced virtual classrooms that will relay different lesson levels for roles such as pilots, flight engineers, loadmasters, and deck engineers.
Work will run for two years. Related integrations are now being completed at Textron’s TRU Simulation + Training facility in Goose Creek, South Carolina.
The training capabilities will be distributed at five US Navy locations once finalized.
“The advanced SSC training systems provide critical education to SSC operators,” Electronic Systems SVP Steve Mensh said.
“Textron Systems has decades of experience designing and integrating multi-domain trainers, so this is an exciting opportunity to strengthen our cross-domain expertise and provide farther reaching support to the US Navy.”
The Ship-to-Shore Connector
The US Department of Defense’s SSC vessel is used to move personnel, tactical equipment, and weapons between land and other amphibious ships.
The 91.8-foot (27.7-meter) system is powered by four Rolls-Royce MT7 gas turbine engines for speeds of up to 35 knots (65 kilometers/40 miles per hour) and a range of 25 nautical miles (19 miles/46 kilometers).
It is operated by a pilot, an assistant pilot, a loadmaster, and a deck engineer.
The request for proposals on the SSC’s design and build was issued in 2010. Deliveries of the boats began in 2020, with the latest shipped in May 2024.
Also in 2020, Textron secured a follow-on contract to deliver 15 additional SSCs for the US Navy.