Program Supervisor, Ships (PMS) 317 Ship to Shore Connector (SSC) hovercraft and NSWC PCD Touchdown Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) In-Service Engineering Agent (ISEA) civilian operators performed a significant function within the supply of a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter, from Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola to Eglin Air Drive Base (AFB), Fla., Feb. 24, 2022.
With a peak of practically 17 ft, transporting the helicopter by land would have required intensive preparation work as a way to decrease the peak to soundly maneuver on public highways. The Air Drive 96th Take a look at Wing reached out to NSWC PCD and decided that transferring the CH-46 by means of hovercraft was a greater choice. NSWC PCD LCAC craft pilots then deliberate the mission in collaboration with the 96th Take a look at Wing, Eglin AFB, Program Government Workplace Ships, PMS 317, and NAS Pensacola.
LCAC 103 transited from Panama Metropolis, Fla., to NAS Pensacola the place the CH-46 was loaded after which transported to Eglin AFB for use to help future coaching operations for the Air Drive Particular Operations Command Particular Techniques Coaching Squadron. The LCAC 103 then displayed its amphibious functionality by transiting from water to shore at Eglin AFB the place the CH-46 was rolled off the deck onto dry land. LCAC 103 additional demonstrated the SSC amphibious capabilities by transiting throughout Santa Rosa Island on the Eglin AFB Take a look at Vary to navigate again to base by way of probably the most environment friendly path to NSWC PCD. This lengthy distance, land hopping mission, supported post-delivery take a look at and trials aims by efficiently gaining reliability development hours whereas demonstrating required capabilities for Navy and Marine Corps Expeditionary Forces.
That is one instance of how NSWC PCD aligns with Naval Sea Programs Command (NAVSEA) strategic targets on the division degree by demonstrating its skill to ship an array of responsive choices and companies to satisfy actual world wants.
“NSWC PCD is a Navy analysis, improvement, take a look at and analysis (RDT&E) laboratory, and this mission displayed the fruit of the RDT&E and Acquisition staff work which is offering this important expeditionary functionality to the Fleet. It’s at all times a bonus when that functionality helps our sister army branches and companions,” stated Randy Whitehead, NSWC PCD Air Cushion Car and Seabasing technical program supervisor. “This was a superb demonstration of key capabilities such because the LCAC’s distinctive mixture of vary, pace, amphibious versatility, and raise capability. It not solely allowed us to efficiently execute this mission but in addition confirmed how SSC can carry extra to the desk for future Distributed Maritime Operations.”
The NSWC PCD mission is to conduct RDT&E, in-service help of mine warfare techniques, mines, naval particular warfare techniques, diving and life help techniques, amphibious/expeditionary maneuver warfare techniques, and different missions that happen primarily in coastal (littoral) areas. NSWC PCD offered a bridge to ship problem-solving functionality and stands prepared at a second’s discover to assist get the precise folks and the precise technical companies to help nationwide protection methods.
