The US LARC-V Amphibious Cargo Vehicle

US LARC-V Amphibious Cargo Vehicle

The US LARC-V Amphibious Cargo Vehicle (Lighter, Amphibious Re-supply, Cargo), is an aluminium-hulled amphibious cargo vehicle capable of transporting 5 tons. It was developed in the United States during the 1950s and is still in service with several countries.

The US LARC-V Amphibious Cargo Vehicle Spec’s

Land speed: 30 mph
Water speed: 7.5 knots
Capacity: 3 crew + 20 passengers (up to 10,000 lbs.)
Maximum gradient: 60 %
Fuel capacity: 144 gallons diesel total (2 tanks)
Unloaded land range: 280 to 335 miles
Unloaded sea range: 110 miles

Operators

Philippine Marine Corps
United States Navy
Australian Army (Royal Australian Corps of Transport & Australian Antarctic Division)
Argentinean Navy
Portuguese Marine Corps

US Navy Service Life Extension Program (SLEP)

The US LARC-V Amphibious Cargo Vehicle

The SLEP involved changing from a mechanical to an 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. Navy Beach Master Units, Underwater Construction Teams and the Maritime Pre-positioned Force ships. A total of 42 LARCs were for the SLEP process.

Towing capacity on land was improved to approximately 29,000 lb and bollard pull in water was doubled to 7600 lb. The vehicle operates in all-wheel drive while in land or tow modes. The craft is powered by a 375hp John Deere turbo-charged diesel engine.