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| LARC-V | |
|---|---|
 A LARC-V vehicle | |
| Type | Amphibious cargo vehicle |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Condec,LeTourneau-Westinghouse |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 19,000 lb (8,618 kg) |
| Length | 420 in (11 m) |
| Width | 120 in (3 m) |
| Height | 122 in (3 m) |
| Engine | Cummins V8-300 785 cu in (12.9 L) Diesel V8 300 hp (220 kW) |
| Suspension | wheel 4x4 |
Operational range | 250 mi (402.3 km) |
| Maximum speed | Land:30 mph (48 km/h) Water:9.5 mph (15.3 km/h) |
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LARC-V (Lighter,AmphibiousResupply,Cargo, 5 (V) ton), is an aluminium-hulledamphibious cargo vehicle capable of transporting 5 tons. It was developed in theUnited States during the 1950s, and is used in a variety of auxiliary roles to this day.
In addition to the United States, LARC-Vs have been used by military forces inAustralia,Argentina,Portugal, thePhilippines,Singapore andIceland. Approximately 968 were made. About 500 were destroyed, most by scuttling during the American withdrawal fromSouth Vietnam. About 200 have been retained in U.S. military service. Roughly 100 are privately owned and mostly used for tourism.
The LARC-V was fielded in 1963 and were used extensively by the U.S. Army for over the beach supply during the Vietnam War. They supported the logistical and manpower build up at the start of and during the Vietnam war. Two units arrived from Ft. Story, VA. in June 1965. The 344th Transportation Company (Light Amphibious) setup harbor operations inQui Nhon and the 347th Transportation Company inCam Ranh Bay. The companies had two platoons of 17 LARCVs each and a separate 3rd echelon maintenance detachment. About December 1965, one of the 344th's platoons moved toDa Nang and was attached to the Air Force wing. There it ran 24-hour/day operations hauling bombs from ships in the harbor to the flight line. Their operation was so crucial to the USAF that if at least 15 LARCS were not operational, any needed parts were flown in by Nonoperational Ready Supply Grounded (NORSG) aircraft from St Louis.[1] 458th Transportation, LARC-V Company, arrived in Cam Ranh Bay Oct 1967.101st Airborne Division in 1967 and later the1st Cavalry Division in 1968.[2]
LARC-Vs were used by theArgentine Marines during the1982 invasion of the Falkland Islands.
In January 2011, during the2010–11 Queensland floods inAustralia, it was reported thatC-17 aircraft of theRoyal Australian Air Force were to carry two LARC-V vehicles for use in Operation Flood Assist. The vehicles were deployed fromTownsville toRAAF Base Amberley.[citation needed]
The United StatesNaval Facilities Engineering Command has directed the Sealift Support Program Office to supervise aService Life Extension Program on the LARC Vs used by the Navy. This SLEP involved changing from a mechanical to a 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. NavyBeach Master Units,Underwater Construction Teams and theMaritime Prepositioned Force ships. A total of 42 LARCs are currently funded to transition through the SLEP process.
Towing capacity on land was improved to approximately 29,000 lb and bollard pull in water was doubled to 7,600 lb. The vehicle operates in all-wheel drive while in land or tow modes. The craft is powered by a 375-horsepowerJohn Deere turbo-charged Diesel engine that isTier 2 certified. Engine speed is constant, with a hydraulic transmission modifying speed.
Design and manufacture of the SLEP LARC-Vs was carried out by Power Dynamics, LLC of Stennis Space Center, Mississippi.
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US militarysoft-skinned vehicles introduced after 1945 | |
|---|---|
| 1⁄4–1⁄2 ton vehicles | |
| 3⁄4–13⁄4 ton vehicles | |
| 21⁄2–7 ton trucks | |
| 8–16.5 ton trucks | |
| Tank transporters | |
| Tractor trucks | |
| Tracked tractors & carriers | |
| Specialist vehicles | |
| Amphibious vehicles | |
| All-terrain vehicles | |
