An interesting sighting at Glasgow Prestwick Airport has revealed the arrival of Combatant Craft Assault (CCA) boats, which were offloaded from a C-17 Globemaster aircraft.
The Combatant Craft Assault is operated by the United States Naval Special Warfare Group 4 and is designed for a variety of operations.
Its primary roles include medium-range maritime interdiction operations in medium-to-high threat environments, as well as the insertion and extraction of special operations forces.
With a length of 41 feet, the CCA is a compact and agile craft that occupies a niche between the older RHIB (Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boat) and the newer Combatant Craft Medium (CCM).
This event has generated considerable interest among military enthusiasts and locals, particularly with reports of the boats being transported to Troon Harbour.
One of the defining features of the CCA is its lightweight construction, which is made possible by the use of SPRINT composite materials. This design enables the boat to perform at high speeds while remaining durable enough for various operational conditions. The CCA is powered by high-performance diesel engines, allowing for quick maneuverability and efficient operation.
Additionally, it has an open-top design with a protective shroud around the crew compartment, and it can be equipped with fold-up armour plating for enhanced crew protection.
In terms of equipment, the CCA is outfitted with advanced sensors that include a maritime radar and a Combatant Craft Forward Looking Infrared (CCFLIR) system. The CCFLIR features infrared and low-light video cameras, as well as a laser range finder, which provide the crew with critical situational awareness during operations.
There are also plans to implement a Surface Search Phased Array radar that will enhance the CCA’s ability to detect and track targets both on the water and in the air, thereby improving its overall operational effectiveness.
The CCA can be transported via C-17 aircraft and has the unique capability of being airdropped onto water under parachute.
This feature allows for rapid deployment in various operational scenarios, making it a versatile asset for U.S. special operations. While specific details about its armaments are not widely publicised, it is believed that the CCA can accommodate various weapon systems, including M2 .50 machine guns, M240 7.62mm machine guns, and MK19 40mm grenade launchers.
Not so secret anymore George and giving away the location these craft are heading for is less than ideal.
Your website, your rules however, sometimes we just don’t need to know.
On the other hand Healy talked about cuts to the budget and you have not referenced this at all. That is disappointing; it might have generated some interesting debate, and although Labour (ish) Daniele does raise, …some… good points of recent history that we agree on.
It is known.
But i find no reference to the Airbus and Lockheed dropping from Medium Helicopter Competition puzzling.
Airbus have dropped out ?
Blimey just read up on it, only one bidder, that’s very big news…I assume the financial envelope was to tight for airbus and Lockheed.
I think NMH is a goner. Either the Pumas soldier on or all get chopped.
I guess if Pumas are chopped the Minister would announce that Chinooks can be used instead. Reminiscent of chopping Hercs and claiming that Atlas A400M can do the job instead?
I agree Graham – I think the axe is going to fall hard from this defence review and fall very hard indeed. I have a bad feeling the Armed Forces are going to be decimated again.
Of course it is, labour are in office
Utterly pathetic.
Really? Time the nations money was spent on something closer to the peoples hearts, the NHS, include dentistry and mental health, better transport links and crime on the streets.
No good looking to defend ourselves against a foreign threat when old people are being stabbed to death by 10 and 11 year olds.
Or invest in armed forces still but reduce certain foreign aid, and keep pensioners payment, oh and reduce ILLEGAL immigration and help our own homeless, 3, 4 and 5 star hotels housing illegal immigrants yet our own suffer,
CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME
Well said Don! 👍
I hope not a medium rotor is sort of core requirement for a modern army. I could see it getting pushed back if they only have one bidder…although I’m not sure what they can do as it must be pretty unrealistic cost envelop if everyone other than Leonardo dropped out…so maybe the wise would just bit Leonardos hand off and handcuff them in with a firm price contract.
Just like 155mm artillery is too, and we’ve given most of it away before replacements arrive.
Six Regiments worth to less than one.
NOTHING would surprise me with HMG, nothing.
The treasury is in charge.
Drink to that 🍺 😟
Like most MOD programmes starts off at what is needed with funds for it (40+ airframes) some of the requirement already being filled with H145’s cutting the numbers down to below 30 as a max. But MOD keeps adding to the requirement without adding funds to match therefore numbers drop to a point its simply not cost effective to move forward on it from an industry point. They need a relatively simple troop carrier in numbers worth having and actually given to the Service that will employ them (Army AAC). I see it being pushed back at best and scrapped… Read more »
There was some mention of the challenge of meeting the requirements for UK supply chain involvement. Leonardo was always going to find it easier to deliver that.
And what kind of clown works at such a facility and thinks it is OK to take such pictures and then make them public ? SMH.
It’s a public/civilian airport with hundreds of Ryanair flights a week. If opsec was so important to them, they would have used another time of day or facility.
“The clown” is an enthusiast and does not work at the facility, he is a member of the public doing something legal. Its a public area and perfectly legal to do what they have done. The only “clown” around here is the person posting is you.
Well said.
If they weren’t meant to be seen they wouldn’t be seen
If the US wanted it to remain secret then they would have used mildenhall or the like.
Exactly.
This was meant to be seen.
Otherwise they would have just done it at night. Or at one of the US bases and out it in the back of a truck and thrown a tarp over it.
Or even just put a tarp over it before taking it out of the C17.
A message was being sent to someone.
The CCA is generally used for training. The SEALS do have something a bit more Gucci.
👌👌
It’s like when American nuclear weapons used to be transported around ukj, in plain site
Not the platform but, the destination. Should US SOCOM be collecting these platforms, they can be identified.
Correct
I’d rather George concentrated on reporting interesting non mainstream stuff rather than pre reading Healy’s tea leaves.
The T26 launch wasn’t well reported elsewhere and George did a great job. That takes a lot of time and effort for his small team.
I agree the reporting on the T26 was well done especially the two vessels in the same shot.
If they didnt want you to know, you wouldnt know. Wind your neck in
Hi, these were unloaded in full view at a commercial airport in full view of spotters and holiday makers. My job is to report on things.
To be honest it’s probably just to show case this type of vessel to our Marines do believe we have a Commandos up in Scotland. If it was a Secret sure it would of been RAF – USAF Base job . 👍
Four Five Cdo are at Arbroath, yes. But they’re LRG(N) and arctic orientated.
47 Cdo or SBS/SMG would be the users interested in these.
Maybe they are showing them to the Ukrainian navy….
Not anymore
45 Commando
Based at RM Condor in Scotland, 45 Commando is an amphibious commando unit that forms part of 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines. These elite troops conduct a range of operational tasks at home and across the globe.
Used to prioritise the arctic element, had to adapt in this ever fluid classroom of ukraine being the latest
We do , condor barracks, arbroath, 45 commando royal marines, I served in condor troop, 59 independent commando, royal engineers there, early 90s, attached to RM’s
Nice one George carry on 👍👍👌👌
If it was that secret then they wouldn’t be towing them around the airport in plain sight.
Of greater interest should be any comparison to the FIC boats used by the SBS and the SMG ( if it still exists ) which look very similar to these. There are at least 2. There are secrets, and there are real secrets, and OPSEC. Photos of these showing they exist are of no security concern, if they’d wanted their existence kept secret they’d be offloaded in the dead of night at Mildenhall, like the F117 which operated at night through the 80s, including it is said in the UK. Our own versions of these speed around Poole Harbour from… Read more »
There is a video showing two of these being thrown out the back of a C-5 Galaxy followed by two dozen operators, Such an awesome capability. I hope A400M is working up to do the same with the equivalent SBS craft.
Maybe getting ready to set up a permanent post to protect the next POTUS when they come over to play golf 😀😀😀😀
FAKE NEWS, FAKE NEWS
It’s called Humour!
Smoke and mirrors…
I dont know why the u.s gave up macrihanish.when it came to offloading equipment like this it would have been ideal.
Interesting place.
Mac was a NATO facility, and dispersal location for v bombers.
The US angle was the storage of nuclear depth bombs, the presence of SEALS, and possible occasional staging of other aircraft, which was the reason Campbeltown OFD links directly to it.
I understand MoD still use it occasionally for army exercises.
West Freugh would be another for remoteness.
Those C-17s are based at Elmendorf AFB Alaska,
Its amazing the amount of Karens on here that are bumping their gums about no photos and should not be shared on here, whether its the location, the equipment or for OPSEC. You all make me laugh, if they didnt want you to see it, trust me you would NOT see it! These were offloaded in day time in full public view for the public to see, its also to show you one of the participants at the air show in Ayr at the weekend.. God forbid all the Karens that will go on about more images and more equipment… Read more »
Here here, and 100% spot on. Clearly not a secret in plain view when and if needed many options available to make it so. The professionals know what they are doing and putting it in plain view can be part of a bigger plan.
Whatever the published reasons, the likelihood is that the Americans are up to no good.
If that was the case, none of us would clearly know about it except the highest levels of MOD and GOV. They are not idiots.
Contrast the difference between the UK and the Dutch…we will probably slash spending on Defence at a time when the world is in turmoil, while they are spending more…what do the UK government know that the rest of NATO doesn’t?