Function: Landing craft are used by amphibious forces to transport equipment and troops to the shore.





History: The use of landing craft in amphibious assault dates from World War II. The craft are carried aboard amphibious assault ships to the objective area.





Description: Landing craft are capable of transporting tracked or wheeled vehicles and troops from amphibious assault ships to beachheads or piers. LCMs feature a bow ramp for onload and offload. LCUs have both bow and stern ramps for onload/offload at either end.





General Characteristics, LCU 1610, 1627 and 1646 Class



Power Plant:

Two Detroit 12V-71 Diesel engines, twin shaft, 680 horsepower sustained, Kort nozzles





Length, Overall:

134.9 feet (41.12 meters)





Beam:

29 feet (8.84 meters)





Displacement:

200 long tons (203.21 metric tons) light; 375 long tons (381.02 metric tons) full load





Speed:

11 knots (12.66 mph, 20.37 kph)







Range:

1,200 miles at 8 knots





Capacity:

170 tons





Military Lift:

125 tons of cargo





Armament:

Two 12.7mm MGs





Radar:

Navigation: LN 66 or SPS-53; I band







Crew:

14









General Characteristics, LCM 8 Type



Power Plant:

Two Detroit 12V-71 diesel engines; 680 horsepower sustained; twin shafts





Length, Overall:

73.7 feet (22.46 meters)





Beam:

21 feet (6.4 meters)





Displacement:

105 long tons (106.69 metric tons) full load







Speed:

12 knots (13.81 mph, 22.22 kph)





Cargo Capacity:

180 tons





Range:

190 miles at 9kts full load





Military Lift:

One M48 or one M60 tank or 200 troops





Crew:

Five









General Characteristics, LCM 6 Type



Power Plant:

Two Detroit 6-71 Diesel engines; 348 hp sustained; twin shaft, or



Two Detroit 8V-71 Diesel engines; 460 hp sustained; twin shaft





Length, Overall:

56.2 feet (17.13 meters)





Beam:

14 feet (4.27 meters)





Displacement:

64 long tons (65.03 metric tons) full load







Speed:

9 knots (10.36 mph, 16.67 kph)





Range:

130 miles at 9 knots





Military Lift:

34 tons or 80 troops





Crew:

Five