LARC-LX (Lighter, Amphibious Resupply, Cargo, 60 ton), or as it was originally designated BARC (Barge, Amphibious Resupply, Cargo) is a welded steel hulled amphibious cargo vehicle. It could carry up to 100 tons of cargo or 200 people, but a more typical load was 60 tons of cargo or 120 people. The vehicle was powered by four 265 hp (198 kW) GMC diesel engines positioned in the sides of the hull, each of which drove one wheel on land. Pairs of engines were coupled to drive each of the two 1.2 m (47 in) diameter propellers, which propelled the vehicle in the water. Its top speed was 20 mph (32 km/h) on land, or 7.5 mph (12.1 km/h) afloat. The operator occupied a small cab on the port side at the aft end of the vehicle.
The LARC-LX was used to transport wheeled and tracked vehicles, including beach preparation equipment and general cargo, from ship-to-shore or to inland transfer points. It was also capable of transporting 40 ft (12 m) shipping containers, which could be landed from the LARC either by crane, straddle carriers, or rollers. It was the only amphibious vehicle in U.S. Army service capable of landing on a beach through surf. Typically, the LARC-LX was carried as deck cargo on a commercial vessel or heavy lift ship to be transported overseas.
LARC-XV (Lighter, Amphibious Resupply, Cargo, 15 ton), is an aluminium hulled amphibious cargo vehicle. It measures 45 by 15 feet and is powered by a 600 hp engine.
LARC-XV (Lighter, Amphibious Resupply, Cargo, 15 ton), is an aluminium hulled amphibious cargo vehicle. It measures 45 by 15 feet and is powered by two 300 hp Cummins engines. As an aside, the part most difficult to get for these in their later life was the right radiator. The top and bottom parts were a reverse image of the left side.
LARC-V (Lighter, Amphibious Resupply, Cargo, 5 ton), is an aluminium-hulled amphibious cargo vehicle capable of transporting 5 tons. It was developed in the United States during the 1950s, and is used in a variety of auxiliary roles to this day.
In addition to the United States, Larc-Vs have been used by military forces in Australia, Argentina, Portugal, The Philippines and Iceland. Approximately 968 were made. About 500 were destroyed, most by scuttling during the American withdrawal from South Vietnam. About 200 have been retained in US military service, Roughly 100 are privately owned and mostly used for tourism operators including a number of LARC vehicles is in use on Iceland for tourist trips on the Jökulsárlón ice lake and four LARC-V's used in Halifax, Nova Scotia for city and harbour tours.
LARC-Vs were used extensively by the US Army and Navy for beach supply during the Vietnam War. They supported the 101st Airborne Division in 1967 and later the 1st Cavalry Division in 1968.
LARC can refer to any of several things: