LCM2000-class landing craft mechanised
Class overview | |
---|---|
Builders | Australian Defence Industries , Carrington |
Operators | Australian Army |
Cost | A$5.3 million each[1] |
Built | 2003–2005 |
Completed | 6 |
Retired | 6 |
General characteristics | |
Type | Landing Craft Mechanised |
Displacement | 135 tons full load |
Length | 25.4 m (83 ft) |
Beam | 7.6 m (25 ft) |
Draught | 1.0 m (3.3 ft) |
Ramps | Bow and stern ramps |
Propulsion |
|
Speed | 11.5 knots (21.3 km/h) |
Range | Over 700 nautical miles (1,300 km) |
Capacity | 35 to 50 tons, equivalent to one Leopard 1 tank or five armoured vehicles |
Crew | Up to 5 |
Armament | Two 12.7mm HMGs |
Notes | Ship characteristics from,[2][3] and [4] |
The LCM2000 was a class of
Design
In 1997 the
A contract for the craft was signed in July 2002 and construction work began at ADI's facilities at Carrington, New South Wales in February 2003.[7] The sixth LCM2000 was completed in August 2005, though at the time there were plans to order further craft.[1][4] The six LCMs were named AB 2000, AB 2001, AB 2002, AB 2003, AB 2004 and AB 2005.[2]
The LCM2000s were designed by ADI and were intended to be compatible with the LPAs. The craft were to be capable of mating with the stern of LPAs in order to transfer vehicles to and from the ships. Two LCM2000s were to be carried on the
Service and disposal
The LCM 2000s were accepted into service with the Army in December 2005.
On 15 October 2010 the project to bring the LCM2000s into service was placed on the Australian Government's defence 'projects of concern' list.
A new project to replace the Army's LCM-8 landing craft was initiated in early 2021.[17]
Notes
- ^ a b Jones, Jennie (2 August 2005). "ADI boatbuilders fear for jobs". Daily Telegraph.
- ^ a b c Saunders (2008), p.36
- ^ a b c Wertheim (2007), p.33
- ^ a b c d e f g The LCM 2000 Story (2011), p. 25
- ^ "Amphibious Watercraft for the Army" (Press release). The Hon. Peter Reith, MP. 1 October 2001. Retrieved 8 March 2009.
- ^ Ferguson, Gregor (1 October 2007). "Land Warfare 2007: Landing craft aground". Australian Defence Magazine. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
- ^ "Coalition Builds Amphibious Capabilities in Northern Queensland" (Press release). Senator the Hon. Robert Hill, Minister for Defence. 30 September 2004. Retrieved 8 March 2009.
- ^ a b c Toune, Rachel (29 July 2010). "Million dollar craft lay idle". Townsville Bulletin. Archived from the original on 30 December 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
- ^ "Army's Landing Craft Mechanised (Watercraft)" (Press release). Australian Department of Defence. 29 August 2007. Retrieved 8 March 2009.
- ^ "Projects of concern - Update". Media release. Stephen Smith MP, Minister for Defence. 15 October 2010. Archived from the original on 9 March 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2010.
- ^ "Projects of Concern - Update". Media release. The Hon. Jason Clare MP, Minister for Defence Materiel. 1 February 2011. Archived from the original on 19 February 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
- ^ Kirk, Alexandra (1 February 2011). "Problematic Defence projects get the chop". ABC News. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
- ^ Anderson, John (6 January 2012). "Military craft grounded due to design fault". Townsville Bulletin. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
- ^ "Closed ATM View - DMOFD/RFT0069/2012". AusTender. Department of Finance and Deregulation. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
- ^ "LCM 2000 Watercraft Barge". Baird Maritime. 19 August 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
- ^ "Defence announces amphibious fleet acquisition plan". Australian Defence Magazine. 4 February 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
References
- "The LCM 2000 story". Australian Warship (63): 25. 2011.
- Saunders, Stephen, ed. (2008). Jane's Fighting Ships 2008–09. Coulsdon: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0-7106-2845-9.
- Wertheim, Eric (2007). The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-1-59114-955-2.