The US Navy has awarded a $13.6m contract to engineered services and hardware supplier Oceaneering International to extend the service life of three landing craft, air cushion (LCAC).

The LCAC is an air-cushion vehicle used by the US Navy to transport weapon systems, equipment, cargo and personnel of the marine air / ground task forces.

Under the contract, the company will repair and upgrade the buoyancy box, accomplish selected craft alterations, replace the gas turbine engine and install an integrated C4N equipment package to extend the service life of LCAC from 20 to 30 years.

In addition, the company will enhance craft capability, replace obsolete electronics, repair corrosion damage, reduce life-cycle cost by improving reliability and maintainability, increase survivability, and establish a common configuration baseline.

Work will be carried out in Norfolk, Virginia and is expected to be complete by August 2012.

The contract has been awarded by the Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, DC.