Joint Modular Lighter System (JMLS) Amphibious Cargo Beaching Lighter

WTF are they talking about?

Google Imagines doesn't bring up a single pic of anything related to any "JMLS".

Yeah, I've seen the big American military hovercraft, but it seems like they are trying to talk about something more, a system of powered and non-powered...etc.

Talk about some Pentagon babble....


http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/jmls.htm
Joint Modular Lighter System (JMLS)
Amphibious Cargo Beaching Lighter

The Commander in Chiefs (CINCs) require a sea state three (SS3), service-interoperable Logistics Over the Shore (LOTS) and Joint LOTS (JLOTS) capability to support expeditionary and theater sustainment logistics when ports are degraded or unavailable. Since SS3 conditions exist greater than 50% of the time in some critical areas of operation, failure to operate in SS3 may be a war stopper for these CINCs.
Both the Navy Lightered (NL) and the Army Modular Causeway Section (MCS) systems are sea state limited, with performance degrading rapidly as conditions advance through sea state two (SS2). Both systems are also limited in their transport options to the LOTS site. The size of the NL system makes it difficult to transport aboard other than specialized shipping assets. Though the Army's MCS can be transported unassembled aboard standard commercial containerships, assembly on site is time, labor, and equipment intensive, and limited to calm water conditions.
NL and MCS limited deck space is a concern. Large items such as 20 foot cargo boxes leave little room for personnel movement on the deck of the causeway section, thus increasing the risk of personnel injury or loss during rough sea operations. Some user interest in the addition of guardrails or handrails was expressed. However, this was tempered by concerns of durability and added maintenance
Documents relating to the cargo carrying capabilities of transport vessels indicate that five ship types are capable of transporting causeway sections. These include breakbulk vessels, containerships, barge carriers, RO/RO ships, and special mission/support vessels. The ISO compatibility of the MCS makes it possible to store dismantled sections within the holds of cargo vessels as ISO containers. The NL sections, on the other hand, are too large to store in the holds of cargo vessels. Therefore, they must be transported on the decks or hatch covers of cargo vessels, or lashed to the sides of the vessels.
Because cargo vessels contain a greater amount of hold space than extra deck space, far more MCS sections can be loaded onto a cargo vessel than NL sections. However, when loading either of these causeway sections, weight limits are reached before space becomes a problem. The obvious size problem of the NL, and the weight restrictions associated with transporting both the NL and MCS, underscore the need for a design which features ISO-compatible modularity and a better size to weight ratio. A lighter, modular system would allow a greater number of sections to be shipped in each cargo vessel or the same number of sections co

 

They're talking about building a sectional floating causeway or pier so that ships can unload directly onto it and then the cargo can be driven off onto the beach instead of having to transfer to a smaller vessel. The current systems don't work in heavy weather and are hard to move on existing ships.

Something like the Whales used on D-Day

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulberry_harbour#Whale

 

From http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/jmls.htm: "There are five distinct subsystems: 1) Warping Tug (WT), 2) Causeway Ferry (CF), 3) Roll-On/Roll-Off Discharge Facility (RRDF), 4) Floating Causeway (FC) and 5) Air Cushion Vehicle Landing Platform (ACVLAP). The first four are common with the Modular Causeway Systems, while the Air Cushion Vehicle Landing Platform is new. The Army had no plans to procure any ACVLAP units, as it does not currently operate Air Cushion Vehicles.

The Warping Tug (WT) assembles, disassembles and installs other JMLS subsystems. The WT will be self-propelled and will push, pull, restrain and maneuver each fully assembled, fully loaded JMLS subsystem through SS4 conditions. The WT also will be used to emplace and retrieve anchors and will assist with surf zone salvage.

The Roll-On/Roll-Off Discharge Facility (RRDF) is a floating platform that will provide sufficient buoyancy and structural and deck strength to accept a RO/RO ship ramp loaded with two main battle tanks while simultaneously having rolling stock and personnel on the platform. The RRDF will provide an interface for simultaneous loading of two lighters (one CF and one LCU-2000 or LSV)(threshold) and three lighters (two CFs and one LCU-2000 or LSV)(objective).

The Causeway Ferry (CF) is self-propelled and capable of being moored to an RRDF or alongside a ship and receiving rolling stock and LO/LO cargo from commercial & strategic sealift ships anchored in-stream and then transporting the rolling stock/cargo to the shore. The CF will be capable of conducting unassisted beaching and retracting and drive off of rolling stock and offload of cargo using material handling equipment (MHE). Rolling stock will be able to drive on the stern and off of the bow (drive through capability).

The Floating Causeway (FC) provides a floating roadway that will extend from the shore (mean high water line), through the surf zone and seaward for a maximum of 1,500 feet. The FC will operate in the surf zone through surf index 9 as defined in the Joint Surf Manual (COMNAVSURFPAC / COMNAVSURFLANTINST 3840) and will withstand a tidal range of 8 feet (threshold) to 12 feet (objective). The FC will feature a variable length roadway. (The objective of this requirement is to accommodate assembly of the shortest roadway, which will still ensure a depth of 20 feet of water at the docking pierhead at mean low tide.)"