Quote Originally Posted by Fuchs View Post
It is, but with "unsinkable" foam-filled module for floatation instead of the huge freeboard. That allows stacking in the ship.
Freeboard is sort of useful. It offers protection from the sea/wind as well as potentially some protection from at least small arms fire.

To me (and Im not a sailor) freeboard means you can carry stuff other than AFVs. E.g. you could carry a landrover or unimog and expect it to start, because it's engine compartment would be more protected from being swamped by waves. I.e. you don't need a container.

Furthermore I can't really see these open sleds as being all that useful for carrying troops, casualties, being used as command posts, aid stations, ship to shore cargo and the like. With an LCM or LCU you can just load the troops, medics, commanders and radios on and you have a troop carrier/aid post/CP.
Same with 'B' (non AFV) vehicles, and general cargo e.g. pallets, bulk stores.

As BSmitty suggests, these sleds don't sound like they'd do well with difficult coasts either. Granted there may not be another island hopping campaign with the need to navigate coral reefs, but sandbars, rocks and shoals are still plentiful. So are rivers. And while I reckon it is pretty easy to use an AAV/EFV in a river I think it might be a lot more difficult to use a powered sled, especially if the river has locks/barrages and the like.

Whilst I can certainly see where Tukhachevskii is coming from with his argument for Aist or bigger sized hovercraft I don't think he was denying the need for AAV type vehicles, merely the wisdom in an EFV type vehicle that is supposed to be all singing and dancing, i.e. incredibly complex by the need to aquaplane at high speed.

It seems to me your sled idea adding additional cost and complexity but instead of adding it to the EFV you are moving the extra cost and complexity into these powered remote controlled sleds and in the process losing flexibility. In fact I'd suggest you are adding extra cost and complexity. Instead of a single powerplant in your APC you have the APC powerplant and another powerplant for the sled, as well as he sled's control/nav system.

What is your objection to fairly specialised sea capable vehicles like the EFV/AAV? Especially for marine/naval infantry units.

What does the sled concept offer over the traditional EFV/AAV and landing craft combination (including LCACs or other hovercraft, large or small or even Ekranoplans)? How is your idea more versatile?