This is the prototype of the Ultra Heavy-Lift Amphibious Connecter at a half-scale. The name abbreviates to Uhac and is presumably pronounced Oo-ha! in good Marine tradition.
Hawain-based company Navatek designed the Uhac for the
U.S Marines and the craft will be tested at the biennial Rim of the Pacific
(Rimpac) wargames that ends in July.
Looking like the lovechild between a
Mississippi steamboat and a combined harvester, the Uhac was built to deliver a
Humvee-load of American buccaneers to any defenceless shoreline with crude oil reserves in need of a pillageing — or if you take the American view, it is designed to
"send Marines to developing countries in need of U.S Aid".
"send Marines to developing countries in need of U.S Aid".
Someone please yell: "Hoo-ha!" or recite "This is my gun, there are many like it, but this one is mine...".
The full scale version will carry about 200 tons at up to 20
knots (37 km/h) through high seas and then drive up the beach right over
three-metre high obstacles.
The Uhac rides on tank tracks studded with paddles
made from a tough foam that floats in water and spread the load over mud or
sand.
