Note: This is just a quick and dirty overview. It isn't a complete list, just a few boats that tickle my fancy. I'll list more later.
L-CAT
The current darling of the naval world. For some reason this boat has captured everyone's imagination but for the life of me I can't understand why. It isn't particularly speedy, has a decent but not remarkable load carrying ability and the platform raising and lowering seems a bit complex without delivering promised performance returns. Already they're working on an enlarged version which practically says it all. Its biggest selling point might be that it isn't made in the USA.
LCM-1E
Selected by the Spanish and Australian Navies, this landing craft seems to be an overlooked powerhouse. Navantia is pumping these out like candy on Halloween and its easy to see why. With a decent water speed and fantastic load carrying (120 short tons) it really should be considered for purchase to replace our own aging LCM's. The only negative is that its restricted to the same type beaches as traditional landing craft.
LCU 1600
An unappreciated workhorse for the US Navy and Marines, this is a big, often overloaded stud of a boat that just works. It isn't fancy, it isn't loved but a replacement is no where to be found. A true multi-mission boat, you'll find it working amphibious assaults, shuttling cargo from ship to shore, used as a troop barge and doing anything else that must get done.
LCU Mark 10
A British powerhouse. Operated by the Royal Marines for the Royal Marines, I am personally intrigued by its concept of operation. It is and has proven capable of operating independently for up to 14 days. Remember the British Raid on the Somali Pirates in which they landed Bvs-10's (if I remember correctly) to conduct a mechanized attack? They launched from these landing craft and did the deed. If I'm reading the concept of operations correctly they could then re-embark, sail down the coast and attack a different target. Assault from the sea indeed!
L-CAT
The current darling of the naval world. For some reason this boat has captured everyone's imagination but for the life of me I can't understand why. It isn't particularly speedy, has a decent but not remarkable load carrying ability and the platform raising and lowering seems a bit complex without delivering promised performance returns. Already they're working on an enlarged version which practically says it all. Its biggest selling point might be that it isn't made in the USA.
LCM-1E
Selected by the Spanish and Australian Navies, this landing craft seems to be an overlooked powerhouse. Navantia is pumping these out like candy on Halloween and its easy to see why. With a decent water speed and fantastic load carrying (120 short tons) it really should be considered for purchase to replace our own aging LCM's. The only negative is that its restricted to the same type beaches as traditional landing craft.
An unappreciated workhorse for the US Navy and Marines, this is a big, often overloaded stud of a boat that just works. It isn't fancy, it isn't loved but a replacement is no where to be found. A true multi-mission boat, you'll find it working amphibious assaults, shuttling cargo from ship to shore, used as a troop barge and doing anything else that must get done.
LCU Mark 10
A British powerhouse. Operated by the Royal Marines for the Royal Marines, I am personally intrigued by its concept of operation. It is and has proven capable of operating independently for up to 14 days. Remember the British Raid on the Somali Pirates in which they landed Bvs-10's (if I remember correctly) to conduct a mechanized attack? They launched from these landing craft and did the deed. If I'm reading the concept of operations correctly they could then re-embark, sail down the coast and attack a different target. Assault from the sea indeed!
Historically we made great use of landing craft for shore to shore amphibious operations during the campaign for New Guinea. During the landing at Noemfoor 50ft LCM's traveled 12 days to make the 700 mile landing. VII Amphibious Forces, under RADM Daniel Barbey (Uncle Dan the Amphibious Man), eventually made over 50 landings. Crews often slept for months on their 114ft LCT's and 173ft LCI's which had been designed for one night runs across the English Channel.
ReplyDeleteLanding craft and boats simply have too much utility not be used in future and the USN has probably neglected this area in favor of the LCAC. It's not any surprise given the neglect across the board in craft suitable for inshore operations.
i wasn't aware of that history but my quick google of this British beast has me beyond stoked about the possibilities.
Deletea few words should show the modern day utility...chasing terrorists across the Philippine Island chain. ditto in Malaysia and Indonesia....and fighting across all the little dots of islands throughout the pacific.
i really believe that for sustained operations...including special ops stuff, the LCU might be a key ship.
Sol, would be interested to hear what you think about the British PASCAT as well?
ReplyDeletethat's coming up tomorrow but i can give you a preview. i like it. i want it for our forces.
DeleteSol great quick review and as Grim suggests you should include the PASACAT. I notice that NONE of the above are fully amphibious. And as I have done before ask this question:
ReplyDeleteDoes the USN need to rely on LCAC/SCC to be primary landing craft in ALL of the assault waves? Stated otherwise, does the USN need as many expensive fully amphibious landing craft as it has in the past?
Certainly there are many examples of fast landing craft which are not fully amphibious, two of which are shown above.
P.S. you should research what the USN is doing to replace the old old 1600 LCUs. As far as I know the Navy is just going to SLEP the newest hulls
ReplyDelete