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| A French landing craft unit practices a beach landing at Onslow Beach at Camp Lejeune, N.C., as part of Bold Alligator 2012. Exercise Bold Alligator 2012, the largest naval amphibious exercise in the past 10 years, represents the Navy and Marine Corps' revitalization of the full range of amphibious operations. The exercise focuses on today's fight with today's forces, while showcasing the advantages of seabasing. This exercise will take place Jan. 30 - Feb. 12, 2012 afloat and ashore in and around Virginia and North Carolina. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Gregory N. Juday) |
I told you in a post earlier that the French and Australians (as well as our own Navy/Marine Corps...in particular the beginings of the sea base) were worth watching this week.
Well it looks like we're starting to see some of things that I was talking about. If I'm not mistaken the above photo shows the L-cat. I wondered how the new French landing craft would perform and it seems like we're going to get a good look at it during Bold Alligator.
More to come.
Here is a YouTube clip of the LCAT in action
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_yvY3l27H0
what i've always wondered about is the idea of using a catamaran type landing craft considered all the experience that we have when it comes to the different kinds of beaches and as the world war 2 vets would say..."fringing coral reefs"...i never got whether that was a curse or a description but i want to see it operate in the Pacific.
ReplyDeletelong story short, i don't think this type landing craft will catch on . the LCAC can lift 70 tons. can do it faster and is capable of handling most beaches if not all of them.
i don't think the L-cat will be able to claim half that.
Solomon - what's the operating cost differential between LCAC and L-cat? And do we need 70 tons at 40 knots plus for anything beyond the assault wave?
ReplyDelete