AEF is one of two major suppliers of the Navy’s LCAC skirt system. Upon proof of concept, Bell Aerospace and Avon Rubber PLC (a British based company) partnered to form Bell Avon (now AEF, llc) to supply the first skirts. AEF was originally the sole supplier for the Navy’s LCAC program. Approval for full production was granted in 1987. A total of ninety-one LCAC were built along with the next generation Craft, LCAC-100, in current production.
Materials used for the Navy’s LCAC (Landing Craft, Air Cushion) are high strength coated fabrics consisting of a nylon base cloth and an elastomer coating. Coatings utilized are proprietary formulated Neoprene and Natural Rubber, depending on the component. Different weight fabrics are utilized depending on characteristics required per individual components, and each conforming to specific quality and adhesion testing requirements.
The LCAC is configured into thirteen Segments ranging from 600 – 1,500 US lbs. that encompass the 88’ (26.4m) X 47’ (14.3m) Hull.
Each AEF product is tested prior to shipping.
Custom sizes available.
All AEF are compliant with associated ASTMs and Military Specs.
| Builder | Textron Marine and Land Systems/Avondale Gulfport Marine |
| Date Deployed | 1982 |
| Propulsion | Legacy: 4 Lycoming/AlliedSignal TF-40B gas turbines (2 for propulsion / 2 for lift); 16,000 hp sustained; 2-shrouded reversible pitch airscrews; 4-double-entry fans, centrifugal or mixed flow (lift) |
| Service Life Extension Program (SLEP): 4 Vericor Power Systems ETF-40B gas turbines with Full Authority Digital Engine Control | |
| Length | 87 feet 11 inches (26.4 meters) |
| Beam | 47 feet (14.3 meters) |
| Displacement | 87.2 long tons (88.6 metric tons) light; 170–182 long tons (173–185 metric tons) full load |
| Speed | 40+ knots (46+ mph; 74+ km/h) with full load, 70+ knots maximum speed |
| Range | 200 nmi at 40 knots (370 km at 75 km/h) with payload |
| 300 nmi at 35 knots (550 km at 65 km/h) with payloa | |
| Crew | Five |
| Load | 60 long tons/75 long tons overload (54/68 metric tons) |
| Military lift | 180 troops or one MBT |
| Armament | Two 12.7 mm machine guns. Gun mounts can support the M2HB .50 cal machine gun, Mk 19 Mod 3 40 mm grenade launcher, or the M60 machine gun. Tests conducted with GAU-13 30 mm gatling gun |
| Radar | Navigation: Marconi LN-66; I-band Source: LCAC U.S. Navy Fact File |
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