L-602 |
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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | LCM-1E |
| Builders: | Navantia |
| Operators: | Spain Australia Ordered in 2011 |
| Preceded by: | LCM-8 |
| Planned: | 26 |
| Completed: | 14 |
| Active: | 14 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Landing Craft Mechanised |
| Type: | roll-on/roll-off landing craft |
| Displacement: | 56.6 tonnes (55.7 long tons; 62.4 short tons) light 110 tonnes (110 long tons; 120 short tons) loaded |
| 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: | 2 x MAN D-2842 LE 402X diesel engines (809 kW each) 2 x waterjets |
| Speed: | 22 knots (41 km/h; 25 mph) light 13.5 knots (25.0 km/h; 15.5 mph) loaded |
| Range: | 190 nautical miles (350 km; 220 mi) at economic speed |
| Capacity: | 1 x Main Battle Tank, or 1 x self-propelled howitzer plus resupply vehicle, or 2 x MOWAG Piranha, or 6 x light tactical vehicles, or 170 personnel with equipment |
| Complement: | 4 |
The LCM-1E is a class of amphibious mechanized landing craft manufactured by Navantia at their factory in San Fernando. These craft are intended to deliver troops and equipment onshore from amphibious assault ships during amphibious assaults.
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In 1999, a contract for the construction of two prototypes landing craft (L-601 and L-602), for evaluation and testing in different conditions was signed. These craft would replace the LCM-8s in Spanish Navy service. After undergoing trials, 12 additional units were ordered to service the two Galicia class landing platform dock ships (Galicia and Castilla) and amphibious assault ship Juan Carlos I[1].
The landing craft have the ability to operate over-the-horizon, as they are equipped with radar navigation, GPS, gyro needle/magnetic and HF communications equipment, VHF and UHF. This allows them to operate up to 20 nautical miles (37 km; 23 mi) from their mothership. Propulsion is supplied by two MAN D-2842 LE 402X diesel engines, which supply 809 kilowatts (1,085 hp) each to the two waterjets, allowing the craft to reach 22 knots (41 km/h; 25 mph) unladen, and 13.5 knots (25.0 km/h; 15.5 mph) loaded. Maximum range at economical speeds is 190 nautical miles (350 km; 220 mi)[1].
The LCM-1E incorporates a stern gate, facilitating the loading/unloading of rolling stock within the flood levee, not necessary the output of the front two boats to load / unload the rear, with a limit of 12 tons maximum for the transfer of vehicles a barge to another[1].
They are assigned to Naval Beach Group, based at Naval Station Props. Since joining the Navy, four of the twelve units built in the shipyards of San Fernando and Puerto Real and have been involved in a mission abroad, developed by the Spanish forces in Lebanon, where they came into action for the beach landing of Marines.
Sweden has shown some interest in acquiring the LCM-1E.
In May 2009, the Australian Defence Minister, Joel Fitzgibbon, announced the approval of the contract for the purchase of a number of landing craft for the two Canberra-class Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) currently under construction by Navantia and BAE Systems Australia.[2] On 27 September 2011, it was announced that 12 units will be purchased.[3]