LCM-1E

L-602
Class overview
Name: LCM-1E
Builders: Navantia
Operators:  Spain
 Australia
 Turkey
Preceded by: LCM-8
Planned: 30
Completed: 26
Active: 22
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. The craft are operated by the Spanish Navy and the Royal Australian Navy (the latter referring to the vessels as LHD Landing Craft or LLC), and have been ordered by the Turkish Navy.

Project history and design

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 compasses 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 from the rear, with a limit of 12 tons maximum for the transfer of vehicles from one barge to another.[1]

Service

Two LCM-1E heading for the beach

Spanish Navy

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.

After the 2010 Haiti earthquake, four LCM-1E were used to land relief personnel and first aid material directly on the beach, avoiding the partially destroyed and highly congested harbours.

Foreign orders

Sweden has shown some interest in acquiring the LCM-1E.

Two Royal Australian Navy LCCs at HMAS Waterhen

In 2009, the Australian Defence Force began plans to acquire landing craft for the under-construction Canberra-class landing helicopter dock ships. Arrangements were made to acquire craft from Navantia (the builder responsible for the LHDs), and in September 2011, the purchase of 12 LCM-1E craft was approved by the Australian government. The first four entered Australian service in 2014.[2][3] In Australian service, the craft are referred to as LLCs (LHD Landing Craft).[4]

On 29 December 2013, the Turkish Navy selected Navantia to work with local partner Sedef, to build a ship based on Juan Carlos I, along with four landing craft LCM-1E.[5]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "La nueva lancha de desembarco LCM-1E" (in Spanish). Jan-Feb-2003. Retrieved 3 January 2012. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ↑ Kerr, Julian (22 December 2011). "Amphibious ambitions: expanding Australia's naval expectations". Jane's Navy International (Jane's Information Group).
  3. ↑ Clare, Jason (5 October 2012). "LHD Watercraft and Enhanced Joint Operations Centre Command and Control Capability Projects Approved" (Press release). Department of Defence. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
  4. ↑ Kennedy, Emily (1 August 2014). "Canberra’s landing craft coxswains demonstrate new skills". Navy Daily (Royal Australian Navy). Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  5. ↑ "Navantia construirá un buque anfibio para Turquía". ABC (in Spanish). 29 December 2013.
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