Landing Craft, Air Cushion

naval amphibious craft

Also known as: LCAC

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 21, 2026

Quick Summary

A Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) is a type of amphibious vehicle used by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Unlike traditional landing craft designed solely for delivering troops and equipment to shore, LCACs are a distinct class of air-cushion vehicles, often referred to as hovercraft.1

Key features of LCACs include:
* Air Cushion Technology: They operate on a cushion of air, allowing them to travel over land and water.12
* Speed and Versatility: LCACs offer high speed and versatility, making them valuable for naval operations.1
* Armament: While they carry lighter armament than some earlier amphibious assault craft, they are equipped with gun mounts for machine guns or grenade launchers.1

The development of air-cushion vehicles like the LCAC represents an advancement in amphibious transport capabilities, building upon earlier designs like the LVT (landing vehicle, tracked).1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

4 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

amphibious vehicle
… took delivery of its first LCAC (“landing craft, air cushion”) in 1984, and 90 more would enter service over subsequent years. Although boasting lighter armament than the LVT and its descendants—its twin gun mounts could support light or heavy machine guns or 40-mm grenade launchers—the LCAC’s range and versatility made…
Read More
… took delivery of its first LCAC (“landing craft, air cushion”) in 1984, and 90 more would enter service over subsequent years. Although boasting lighter armament than the LVT and its descendants—its twin gun mounts could support light or heavy machine guns or 40-mm grenade launchers—the LCAC’s range and versatility made…
Read More