US Navy Patrol Air Cushion Vehicle (PACV)

The Patrol Air Cushion Vehicle was a hovercraft design that was used by the US Navy, the design was by the British Hovercraft Corporation built in the US under license by the Bell Aerosystems as the SK5. As the Vietnam War was escalating hovercraft were sought as a fast transport for troops and vital supplies from ship to shore at speeds of up to 80 knots. Weighing 7 tons, The PACV could transport  a crew of 4 plus 12 troops, some of these on the outside of the craft. It could operate over water, snow, sand and over reeds and water plants.

A total of three PACV were ordered and the served initially in San Diego from 1965 as experimental craft to learn its capabilities and for crew training. They were tested with various weapons installed and in 1966 were deployed as patrol craft in Vietnam in early 1966. They were used in several combat operations transporting troops, including Special Forces. The US Navy purchased another three craft in 1967, these were known as ACV Air Cushion Vehicles. The US Navy continued to use the PACV’s for riverine patrol. Although the hovercraft was noisy, its high speed often caught the enemy by surprise. The craft were later fitted with light armour plate to protect their crews. In 1970, the hovercraft were retired from military service and passed on to the US Coast Guard.