Landing Craft Utility
A Landing Craft Utility (LCU) is a type of boat used by
Colombia
Class overview | |
---|---|
Name | Golfo de Tribugá class |
Builders | COTECMAR |
Operators | Honduran Navy |
Preceded by | LCU-1466-class landing ship utility |
In service | 2014–present |
In commission | 2014–present |
Completed | 8 |
Active | 8 |
General characteristics | |
Type | Landing Craft Utility |
Displacement | 574.6 t (565.5 long tons) |
Length | 49.0 m (160.8 ft) |
Beam | 11.0 m (36.1 ft) |
Draught | 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) |
Propulsion | 2 × Caterpillar C18 diesel motors, 412 kW (553 shp) |
Speed | 8.5 knots (15.7 km/h; 9.8 mph) |
Range |
|
Endurance |
|
Capacity | 120 t (130 short tons) |
Troops | 36 |
Complement | 15 (3 officers) |
The Golfo de Tribugá-class landing craft is an LCU developed by COTECMAR for the
Operators
- Colombian National Navy: 5 in service, 1 on order
- Guatemalan Navy: 1 in service[2]
- Honduran Navy: 2 in service[3]
- Dominican Navy: 1 in service
France
The Engin de débarquement amphibie rapide (EDA-R) landing catamaran or L-CAT, entered service in January 2011. They can carry a main battle tank like other European LCUs but are capable of much higher speeds, up to 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph).
Germany
Stör
| |
Class overview | |
---|---|
Operators | |
In service | 1965– |
Completed | 22 |
Active | 2 |
Laid up | 3 |
General characteristics | |
Type | Landing craft |
Displacement | 430 tonnes (420 long tons) (full load) |
Length | 40 m (131 ft 3 in) |
Beam | 8.8 m (28 ft 10 in) |
Draft | 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in) |
Propulsion | 750 kW (1,010 hp) |
Speed | 11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph) |
Capacity | Up to 150 tonnes (150 long tons) |
Complement | 17 |
Armament |
|
Germany has two Barbe-class utility landing craft (Type 520), dating from the mid-1960s, which remain in service under the SEK-M Naval Special Forces' command. Five Barbe landing crafts were transferred to Greece at the end of the Cold War.
India
MK.IV LCU (L51) at sea.
| |
Class overview | |
---|---|
Name | LCU MK IV class |
Builders | GRSE |
Operators | Indian Navy |
Preceded by | Mk. III LCU |
Cost | ₹2,100 crore (equivalent to ₹43 billion or US$540 million in 2023) |
Built | 2011-20 |
Planned | 8 |
Completed | 8 |
Active | 8 |
General characteristics | |
Type | Landing craft utility |
Displacement | |
Length | 62.8 m (206 ft)[4] |
Beam | 11 m (36 ft) |
Draught | 2.2 m (7 ft 3 in) |
Installed power | 1,840 kW (2,470 hp) each[6] |
Propulsion | |
Speed | 15 kn (28 km/h)[4] |
Range | 1,500 nmi (2,800 km) at 12 kn (22 km/h)[4] |
Troops | 160[5] |
Complement | 56[6] |
Sensors and processing systems |
|
Armament |
|
India currently has 8 Mk IV class LCU. Last MK IV class of LCU was delivered by GRSE in 2020.
Netherlands
Class overview | |
---|---|
Name | LCU Mk.II (NL) class |
Operators | Royal Netherlands Navy, Netherlands Marine Corps |
Active | 5 |
General characteristics | |
Type | Ro-Ro landing craft |
Displacement | 255 tonnes (251 long tons) |
Length | 36.3 m (119 ft 1 in) |
Beam | 6.85 m (22 ft 6 in) |
Draft |
|
Capacity | 65 tonnes (64 long tons) |
Complement | 7 |
Armament | 2 × Browning .50 calibre (12.7 mm) machine guns |
With the launch of the amphibious transport ship HNLMS Rotterdam in 1998 there was a need for LCUs. The Dutch LCUs are similar to the British LCU Mk.10 with the bridge being set to one side allowing for a roll-on roll-off design. Until 2005 the Netherlands Marine Corps used the LCU Mark I (NL).
In 2005 and 2006 the five vessels were modernized to the type Mark II. The vessels have been stretched by 9 meters to decrease their draft, which increased their load carrying capacity by 20 tons and allows them to come closer to shore. In addition they were fitted with a strengthened bow ramp, and they can now accommodate the Royal Netherlands Army Leopard 2 A6 main battle tank. Because of the lengthening of the Mark II, the Rotterdam can take two LCUs (plus three
Russia
Dyugon
Class overview | |
---|---|
Name | Dyugon-class landing craft |
Operators | Russian Navy |
Completed | 5 |
Active | 5 |
General characteristics [8] | |
Displacement | 280 tonnes (276 long tons) |
Length | 45 m (148 ft) |
Beam | 8.6 m (28 ft) |
Height | 5.1 m (17 ft) |
Draft | 1.9 m (6.2 ft) |
Propulsion | Two M507A-2D diesel engines with 9000 hp each |
Speed | 35 knots (65 km/h; 40 mph) |
Range | 500 nmi (930 km) |
Capacity |
|
Complement | 7 |
Armament | 2 KPV 14.5 mm machine guns |
The Dyugon-class landing craft are operated by the Russian Navy.
Sweden
Class overview | |
---|---|
Name | Swedish: Lätt trossbåt |
Builders | Djupviks varv |
Operators | Swedish Navy United Arab Emirates Navy |
Built | 1995- |
Active | 16 |
General characteristics | |
Type | Fast landing craft |
Displacement | 65 tonnes (64 long tons) |
Length | 24.6 m (80 ft 9 in) |
Beam | 5.4 m (17 ft 9 in) |
Draft | 1.1 m (3 ft 7 in) |
Propulsion | 3 x Scania V8 Water jet (3 x 675 hp) |
Speed | 25 knots |
Troops | 18 |
Armament | 1 × 12.7 mm machine gun
depth charges |
Sweden operates 16 small and fast (25 kn) water jet landing craft (Swedish: Lätt trossbåt) with a displacement of 65 tonnes. They are armed with one 12.7 mm machine gun but can also lay out mines and are equipped with depth charges for anti submarine warfare. The vessel type has been exported to the United Arab Emirates.
HSwMS Loke (A344) is a larger vessel with a displacement of 305 tonnes, capable of carrying 150 tonnes. The ship has a crew of 7 and is armed with two 7.62 mm machine guns.
Spain
L-602
| |
Class overview | |
---|---|
Name | LCM-1E |
Builders | Navantia |
Operators | |
Preceded by | LCM-8 |
Planned | 30 |
Completed | 26 |
Active | 24 |
Retired | 2 |
General characteristics | |
Type | Roll-on/roll-off landing craft mechanised |
Displacement |
|
Length | 23.3 metres (76 ft) |
Beam | 6.4 metres (21 ft) |
Draught | 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) loaded |
Ramps | Bow ramp and stern gate |
Propulsion |
|
Speed |
|
Range | 190 nautical miles (350 km; 220 mi) at economic speed |
Capacity |
|
Complement | 4 |
The
United Kingdom
LCU Mk.9 (now retired)
| |
Class overview | |
---|---|
Name | Landing Craft Utility |
Operators | Royal Navy, Royal Marines |
Subclasses | LCU Mk.9 and LCU Mk.10 |
Active | 9 LCU Mk.10s |
Retired | LCU Mk.9s |
General characteristics LCU Mk.10[9] | |
Displacement | 240 t (240 long tons) |
Length | 97 ft 10 in (29.82 m) |
Beam | 25 ft 3 in (7.70 m) |
Draught | 4 ft 11 in (1.50 m) |
Propulsion | 2 × MAN D2840 LE diesel engines (400 kW / 2150 r.p.m. each) |
Speed | 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) |
Range | 600 nautical miles (1,100 km) |
Capacity | 1 main battle tank, 4 large vehicles, or 120 troops |
LCU Mk.9
The LCU Mk.9 was built for use on the LPDs
Three Mk.9s, pennant numbers 701, 705, and 709, remained in service by 2012.[10][12] However, by 2014, they had all been withdrawn from service.[13]
LCU Mk.10
The LCU Mk.10 class vessels are operated by the
Ten Mk.10s, pennant numbers 1001 to 1010, were in service as of 2012.[12] In 2023 it was reported that 9 of the craft remained in service.[14]
United States
The United States Navy built 1,394
Seventy old LCUs (likely ex-LCTs) were retired from amphibious duties and reclassified as Harbor utility craft (YFU).
LCU 1466, 1610 and 1627 classes
LCU-1627
| |
Class overview | |
---|---|
Name | LCU 1466, 1610 and 1627 classes |
Operators | United States Navy |
Active | 32[15] |
General characteristics | |
Displacement | see table |
Length | see table |
Beam | see table |
Draft | see table |
Propulsion | see table |
Speed | see table |
Range | see table |
Endurance | 10 days[15] |
Capacity | see table |
Troops | see table |
Sensors and processing systems | LN 66 or SPS-53 I band navigation radar |
Armament | 2 × Browning .50 caliber machine guns |
The LCU 1466, 1610 and 1627 class vessels are operated by the
The craft features two engine rooms separated by a watertight
Introduction of the larger LCU-1610 class resulted in the US Navy constructing the Anchorage class of Landing Ships, Dock (LSD).[18]
LCU-1618 was converted to support the testing of Remotely operated underwater vehicles and Autonomous underwater vehicles and was given the name USS Orca (IX-508).[19]
The 40-year-old craft will be replaced under LCU 1700[20] (ex-Surface Connector (X) Recapitalization, or SC(X)R), project starting in 2017.[15]
[16][17][21] | LCU 1466 | LCU 1610 | LCU 1627 |
---|---|---|---|
Displacement – light | 180 long tons (183 t) | 172 long tons (175 t) | 200 long tons (203 t) |
Displacement – full | n/a | 353 long tons (359 t) | 386 long tons (392 t) |
Length overall | 115 ft 1 in (35.08 m) | 134 ft 9 in (41.07 m) | 134 ft 9 in (41.07 m) |
Beam | 34 ft 0 in (10.36 m) | 29 ft 10 in (9.09 m) | 29 ft 10 in (9.09 m) |
Draft – full load, forward | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 4 ft 10 in (1.47 m) | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
Draft – full load, aft | 2 ft 9 in (0.84 m) | 3 ft 6 in (1.07 m) | 3 ft 6 in (1.07 m) |
Power – sustained | 675 hp (503 kW) | 1,000 hp (746 kW) | 680 hp (507 kW) |
Propulsion | 3 x Gray Marine diesel engines | 2 x Detroit 12V-71 diesel engines | 4 x Detroit diesel engines |
Shafts | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Speed | 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) | 11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph) | 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) |
Range | 1,200 nmi (2,200 km) at 6 kn (11 km/h) | 1,200 nmi (2,200 km) at 8 kn (15 km/h) | 1,200 nmi (2,200 km) at 6 kn (11 km/h) |
Complement | 14 | 14 | 12–14 |
Capacity – troops | 300 | 400 | 350 |
Capacity – cargo | 167 long tons (170 t) | 180 long tons (183 t) | 125 long tons (127 t) |
LCU 2000
Class overview | |
---|---|
Name | Runnymede-class large landing craft |
Operators | United States Army |
General characteristics | |
Displacement |
|
Length | 174 ft (53 m) |
Beam | 42 ft (13 m) |
Draft |
|
Speed | 11.5 knots (21.3 km/h; 13.2 mph) |
Range | |
Capacity |
|
Complement | 13 |
The Runnymede-class large landing craft or LCU 2000 class vessels are operated by the United States Army.[22][23] They transport rolling and tracked vehicles, containers, and outsized and general cargo from ships offshore to shore, as well as to areas that cannot be reached by oceangoing vessels (coastal, harbor, and intercoastal waterways). They can be self-deployed or transported aboard a float-on/float-off vessel. They are classed for full ocean service and one-man engine room operations and built to U.S. Coast Guard standards. The vessel can sustain a crew of 2 warrant officers and 11 enlisted personnel for up to 18 days and 10,000 miles. This class is also equipped with an aft anchor to assist in retracting from the beach.
LCU Class 1700
The LCU 1700-class boats are destined to replace the existing LCU 1610-class of amphibious landing craft on a one-to-one basis. The LCU-1700 is 139 feet long, can reach speeds of 11 knots, has a range of 1,200 nautical miles at 8 knots, and has accommodations for a mixed gender crew of 14. It can carry two M1A1 tanks, or 350 combat troops, or 170 short tons of cargo.[24]
The contract announcement noted that the LCU 1700s will recapitalize the LCU fleet as a similarly rugged steel craft (to the LCU 1610) with a design life of 30 years.[25] The similarities of these two classes of ships will help the U.S. Navy to improve efficiency and reduce cost of the training programs, operations and overall ownership cost. The craft will enter, exit and be transported in well decks of current and programmed U.S. Navy amphibious warfare ships, for design purposes defined by the dimensions of LHD, LPD, LSD and LHA classes without ship alterations, while transporting loads up to 11 feet high above the craft’s vehicle deck.[26] The contract was awarded to Swiftships in 2018 to design and build the prototype and up to 32 vessels. Work is being performed in Morgan City, Louisiana, and was expected to be completed by November 2023.[27][28]
As of February 23, 2024, the U.S. Navy has ordered the builder to stop work and moved to terminate the contract due to challenges and disagreements on the program.[29]
References
Citations
- ^ "Productos Cotecmar | COTECMAR".
- ^ "Presidente recibe buque BL-1601 Quetzal" (Press release) (in Spanish). Diario de Centro América. 13 November 2019. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
- ^ "Colombia entrega a Honduras buque elaborado por Cotecmar" (Press release) (in Spanish). COTECMAR. 7 November 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Mazumdar, Mrityunjoy (5 October 2016). "Indian Navy receives first of new class of Mk IV LCUs". IHS Jane's Defence Weekly. Jane's Information Group. Archived from the original on 7 October 2016.
- ^ a b Dominguez, Gabriel (31 May 2018). "Indian Navy commissions fourth Mk IV landing craft". IHS Jane's Defence Weekly. Jane's Information Group. Archived from the original on 31 May 2018.
- ^ a b Rahmat, Ridzwan (13 March 2016). "GRSE launches Indian Navy's sixth Mk IV LCU". IHS Jane's Navy International. Jane's Information Group. Archived from the original on 14 March 2016.
- ^ a b "Commissioning of INLCU L51 by Vice Admiral Bimal Verma, AVSM Commander-in-Chief Andaman And Nicobar Command" (Press release). Press Information Bureau. 28 March 2017.
- ^ Десантный катер проекта 21820 «Дюгонь» «Армейский вестник». Retrieved 23 November 2021
- ^ "Landing Craft LCU MK 10" (PDF). Schottel.de. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
- ^ a b The Royal Navy Handbook, page 106
- ^ "British Ships sunk and damaged - Falklands War 1982". www.naval-history.net.
- ^ a b "The Military Balance 2012", International Institute for Strategic Studies, pp. 170–171
- ISBN 978-1904459552.
- ^ "Royal Navy Fleet Poster p.21" (PDF). Navy News. February 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
- ^ a b c d Scott, Richard (28 January 2013). "US scopes objectives for new surface connector workhorse". Jane's Navy International.
- ^ a b Friedman, 2002, p 390
- ^ Friedman, 2002, pp 331-334
- ^ "Navy Orders Four New LCU 1700 Utility Landing Craft from Swiftships". 3 April 2020.
- ^ Petty, Dan. "The US Navy -- Fact File: Landing Craft, Mechanized and Utility - LCM/LCU". www.navy.mil.
- ^ Marge Holtz, Lisa Gates (October 29, 1998). "Creative thinking offers stowage solution". Military Sealift Command. Retrieved 2008-02-03.
- ^ Spc. Morrene E. Randell (5 September 2007). "Army Boat Supports Dive Teams Trying to Raise Russian Sub". army.mil.
- ^ "LCU".
- ^ "Navy awards". Defensedaily. 3 April 2020. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
- ^ "US Navy awards Swiftships". Militaryleak. 9 May 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
- ^ "US Navy orders". debrief. 3 April 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
- ^ "Swiftships to deliver". Naval News. NavalNews. 6 February 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
- ^ "US Navy orders Swiftships to stop work on its landing craft program".
Sources
- Friedman, Norman (2002). U.S. Amphibious Ships and Craft: An Illustrated Design History. Annapolis, Maryland: United States Naval Institute. ISBN 1-55750-250-1.
External links
- Royal Marines – Landing Craft (royalnavy.mod.uk)
- U.S. Navy fact sheet