News: interesting development craft - high speed landing craft

[Amgine]

No place for this kind of news, but thought it would be of interest to multi-hullers.

The French Navy is about to begin evaluations of a new landing craft - a catamaran with "pontoon deck" on an elevator.

The L-Cat is described by one of the developers (Pôl MER PACA) as combining a lift barge and a catamaran. The craft has three primary modes, high-speed cruising, shore-side lander, and dock-side loading from ship or shore facilities. (There's some indication the pontoon deck can be submerged, so it could find use as a mobile dry-dock or boat transport?)

Interestingly, the craft is already being marketed by Constructions Industrialles de la Méditerrané (CNIM), though the French Navy hopes to have its evaluations completed by the end of the year.

Janes