Aero-engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce is to supply a variant of one of its aerospace gas turbines for use by the US Navy’s future hovercraft fleet. The Derby-based group will work with Textron Marine & Land Systems, which has been selected to build the initial development vehicle in a programme that could extend to 73 craft.

The Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC) will replace the Navy’s current fleet of Landing Craft Air Cushion hovercraft over the next 20 years. It will be used to rapidly transfer personnel and vehicles from US Navy ships to the shore. Each SSC will use multiple Rolls-Royce MT7 gas turbines — derived from the AE1107 engine that powers the US Marine Corps’ V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft.

Rolls-Royce president (naval) Andrew Marsh said: “This is an exciting and significant project for Rolls-Royce to be involved with. Our gas-turbine technology will increase the power of the hovercraft by 25%, compared to the previous generation, enabling each craft to transport up to 74 tonnes of cargo at speeds over 35 knots. At the same time, our engines will improve fuel efficiency by 11%.”