LCU

Landing Craft Mechanized (LCM) and Landing Craft Utility (LCU) are small craft utilized to transport troops and equipment to the shore during amphibious assault operations. The equipment carried by LCMs and LCUs includes both tracked and wheeled armored vehicles. LCMs have a bow ramp for onload and offload while LCUs have ramps at bow and stern for onload and offload at either end. Dating from World War II, LCUs and LCMs are carried aboard amphibious assault ships to the objective area. Currently, the United States Navy operates LCM 6, LCM 8, LCU 1610, LCU 1627 and LCU 1646 landing crafts. All these crafts are powered by diesel engines provided by Detroit Diesel. LCM 6/8 crafts propulsion is rated between 348- and 680-shp which allows for 9 to 12 knots of maximum speed over distances of 130 to 190 miles respectively. LCM 6/8 payload ranges from 34 to 80 tons, which allows for transportation of a fully equipped M60 main battle tank, or 80 to 200 troops respectively. LCM 8 has a full load displacement of 105-t while LCM 6 stands at 64-t. LCUs are larger, heavier and more capable than LCMs. Each LCU is powered by two Detroit Diesel diesel engines rated at 690-shp which allows a maximum speed of 11 knots and carry as many as 170 tons of cargo including troops and equipment. It is fitted with an I-band navigation radar and two 12.7mm guns for self-defense purposes only. Cruising at 8 knots LCUs cover distances of 1,200 miles. LCUs are operated by a crew of 14-man while LCM only need a 5-man crew.

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