United States Marine Inc., Gulfport, Mississippi, was awarded on April 13, 2020, a $108,000,000 maximum indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity delivery order contract (H92405-20-D-0002) with a five-year ordering period in support of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) for the production of Combatant Craft Assault.
United States Marine Inc., Gulfport, Mississippi, was awarded on April 13, 2020, a $108,000,000 maximum indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity delivery order contract (H92405-20-D-0002) with a five-year ordering period in support of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) for the production of Combatant Craft Assault.
Combatant Craft Assault. Note the distinctive sensor/communications mast. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)
The Combatant Craft Assault (CCA) is a fast boat operated by Naval Special Warfare Group 4 Special Boat Teams (SBT 12 & SBT 20). The CCA's primary role is medium range maritime interdiction operations (MIO) in medium-to-high threat environments. It can also perform the insertion/extraction of special operations forces (SOF) and coastal patrol operations.
The CCA operates in the niche between the venerable NSW RHIB and the new Combatant Craft Medium (CCM). It is smaller, more agile and transportable than its CCM cousin. Like the CCM, the CCA can be air transported via C-17A Globemaster III airlifter. Unlike the CCM, the CCA can be airdropped onto water under parachute from the C-17. The CCA can also be taken on and off Naval boats via crane, whereas the CCM can only operate from certain larger vessels. The CCA achieved initial operational capability (IOC) in late 2015.
The CCA's mono-hull is design includes components made from SPRINT composite materials, resulting in a lightweight but durable craft. The boat is powered by high-performance diesel engines. It features an open-top design with a windshield/shroud around the crew compartment. The craft appears to have fold-up armor plating for the protection of crew/passengers. Sensors aboard the CCA include a maritime radar mounted on a mast along with communications antennae and a Combatant Craft Forward Looking Infrared (CCFLIR), which includes infrared and day and low light video cameras and a laser range finder and pointer. There are plans to develop a Surface Search Phased Array (SSPA) radar for use by the CCA, CCM and CCH fleets. This will be able to detect and track targets on the water and in the air. The SSPA is low observable (LO), with a low probability of detection (LPD) and low probability of intercept (LPI). The SSPA will replace the commercial-grade maritime radar currently employed. Little is publicly known about the CCA's armaments although it is likey that it can accommodate the mounting of various weapon systems, including M2 .50 machine guns, M240 7.62mm belt-fed machine guns, and MK19 40mm grenade launchers.
