In less than two weeks, the Biden administration’s floating dock, which cost 320 million dollars, was set up on the coast of Gaza to facilitate the arrival of humanitarian aid to the citizens of the Strip. The repair of the pier may take longer than its operation, so the US is considering using the US Navy’s hovercraft as a possible alternative.
The American Central Command, responsible for aid, admitted that they currently do not have the means to transfer the full amount of aid from Cyprus to Gaza. However, they may choose to activate the 90 LCAC landings in the Navy’s possession before the pier is repaired, which could take several weeks.
Hovercraft are fast-moving amphibious crafts capable of carrying 60-75 tons, and have been a topic of interest in the US defense industry for years due to their increasing cost. The LCACs can sail at a maximum speed of 40 knots and have a range of about 320 km, using airbag technology to navigate various coastlines.
The decision to use hovercraft for aid delivery raises questions about why they were not utilized from the beginning, especially given the challenges with the floating dock, such as trucks arriving partially empty. Technical or logistical issues may have influenced the decision-making process.
Ultimately, the use of hovercraft for aid delivery to Gaza could provide a more efficient and reliable means of transport compared to the floating dock. The potential advantages of using these amphibious crafts warrant further consideration in future humanitarian missions.