I consider it one of the most unique and valuable tools in the Gator Navy. It is used as a jack-of-all-trades and does its best work behind the scenes.
Its also another example of an old vehicle being used well past its prime and in need of replacement. Here is the passage on its SLEP program via Wikipedia.
The United States Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) has directed the Sealift Support Program Office (SSPO) to supervise a Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) on the LARC V's used by the Navy. This SLEP involved changing from a mechanical to an hydraulic transmission, updating the electrical system, and improving other on-board systems. These reworked LARCs began delivery in June 2006 for use by U.S. Navy Beach Master Units, Underwater Construction Teams and the Maritime Prepositioned Force ships. A total of 42 LARCs are currently funded to transition through the SLEP process.The SLEP `was a good idea and accomplished a modest improvement in reliability but in my opinion more needs to be done. So what vehicle should we consider to replace the LARC-V? How about the Gibbs High Speed Amphibian?
Towing capacity on land was improved to approximately 29,000 lb and bollard pull in water was doubled to 7600 lb. The vehicle operates in all-wheel drive while in land or tow modes. The craft is powered by a 375 horsepower John Deere turbo-charged diesel engine that is Tier 2 certified. Engine speed is constant with an hydraulic transmission modifying speed.
Design and manufacture of the SLEP LARC-V's was carried out by Power Dynamics, LLC of Stennis Space Center, Mississippi.
How useful is the LARC-V? It was used by the Argentinians in the Falkland War...It was used in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina...Australia used them for rescuing people during recent flooding. The Gibbs High Speed Amphibian would be a worthy successor.
With those tinny wheels Gibbs couldn't even get on the beach if there was no paved ramp
ReplyDeletethe vehicle would have to be seriously upsized in order to be a LARC-V replacement but have you seen a better base design for such a vehicle? i haven't so thats why i put it up. as it is though a little matting and it could get on the beach.
DeleteI agree that its far to small but as a boatbuilder by trade i can only tell you this anything that planes on water is hostage to weight so for ferrying supllies it can never match a slow barge like LARC in both capacity and seakeeping. If you want to carry weight fast then you need a huge engine that wastes space and resources EFV style. In relation to wheels Gibbs are limited in size due to folding mechanism .
ReplyDeleteYES the LARC-V are valuable vehicles. It seems a pity that a full replacement project can't done? I have worked with them many a time off Gators and MPS.
ReplyDeleteHigh speed is NOT a rqmt of this vehicle - at all. It has to bounce off of big ships and pontoons. In addition to towing stranded boats and vehicles off the beach, it has to lift cargo and sailors ashore.
Zipping about in a little tin whizbang is not what a LARC does for the Navy, but...The older LARCs have been used for shoreline SAR where speed may well be a rqmt.
Ok I am a cynic~
That little amphibian might make for an entertaining ship's launch, probably good for ferrying passengers ashore, but Mr. T is right about the beach ops.
ReplyDeleteAccording to Gibbs' web site, http://gibbsamphitrucks.com/phibian, this think can carry 15 passengers or 1.5T of cargo... way short of the LARC's 5T capacity. I would expect bollard pull to be tiny, which would really minimize utility for Beachmaster ops.