Light SEAL Support Craft
Appearance
![]() Navy SEALs board an LSSC in 1968
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Class overview | |
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Name | LSSC (Light SEAL Support Craft) |
Builders | Grafton Boatworks |
Operators | ![]() |
Completed | 16 |
General characteristics | |
Type | riverine assault boat |
Length | 24 ft (7.3 m) |
Beam | 9.5 ft (2.9 m) |
Draft | 1.5 ft (0.46 m) |
Propulsion | 2 × 350hp Ford 427 inboard gasoline engines each driving a water pump-jet |
Speed | 30+ knots |
Complement | 6 |
Crew | 3 |
Armament |
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Armor | ceramic armor/woven nylon |
The Light SEAL Support Craft (LSSC), was a fast riverine assault boat developed by the United States Navy for use by the United States Navy SEALs in the Vietnam War in 1968.
History
[edit]In July 1968 the LSSC began replacing the Patrol Boat, River as the primary vessel for SEAL team riverine operations.[1][2]
The LSSC was later developed into the Strike Assault Boat which entered service in 1970.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ Swartztrauber, S.A. (May 1970). "River Patrol Relearned" (PDF). U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings: 143.
- ^ Young, Darryl (2011). "The Element of Surprise: Navy SEALS in Vietnam". Random House. ISBN 9780307784506.
- ^ Friedman, Norman (1987). U.S. Small Combatants, Including PT-boats, Subchasers, and the Brown-water Navy: An Illustrated Design History. Naval Institute Press. p. 369. ISBN 9780870217135.