I thought that this craziness was put into the trashbin of bad ideas a long time ago. Apparently I was wrong because Marine Corps Times is doing a teaser article about their Monday coverage of an upsized model of this thing.
We've seen this craziness before!
Its real simple so I don't know why DARPA, the Marine Corps and Navy is wasting time on this outlandish ideas that won't bear fruit.
1. We need a LCU replacement. There are several on the market that are high speed, have a decent if not great carry ability and are long ranged. This needs to be a priority.
2. We need a decision on the AAV. If its an interim MPC with AAV upgrades, a rebadged non-transforming EFV, or a drastically upgraded AAV that gets rebadged as the new ACV doesn't matter. Just make a fucking decision!
3. The LCAC has served us well. Get on with the upgrades!
4. Don't forget about the other amphibious workhorse...the DUKW. Get it modernized, get it on the same program as the mythical drastic AAV upgrade. Big compact engine. Digitized. More powerful jets. Increased load carrying!
I'll take a look at the MCT article on Monday but it won't be with excitement about the possibilities. No, I'll be marveling at all the money they're wasting chasing a concept that we won't use.
