Textron Systems, New Orleans, has received a $230 million contract modification from the U.S. Navy to build two additional Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC) craft, the company announced Oct. 6.
The award covers engineering, manufacturing, quality control and testing for the two craft, which transport personnel and equipment from amphibious ships to shore.
The SSCs can cross tides, varied terrain and obstacles, providing access to about 80% of the world’s coastline, according to Textron. Compared with legacy platforms, the craft feature increased payload capacity and speed, reduced operator requirements and longer intervals between overhauls, the company said.
“The SSCs are a critical enabler for our nation’s amphibious operations, providing unmatched connector capability wherever mission demands arise,” Larry D. Randle Jr., senior vice president, marine systems, said in the announcement.
Textron has delivered 18 SSC craft to the Navy, with another 13 in various stages of production and testing.
