LHD Landing Craft (LLC)

The LCM-1E is a class of amphibious Landing Craft, Mechanized (LCM) manufactured by Navantia who also build the LHD hulls. In Royal Australian Navy service these craft are purpose built for the Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) and are referred to as LHD Landing Craft (LLC).

These landing craft are intended to deliver troops and equipment onshore where there are no fixed port facilities. They have the ability to be used Over The Horizon, which means that the LCM-1E can transport between the ship and the coast starting at a distance greater than that marks the horizon, i.e. greater than 20 nautical miles (37 km). To perform this type of landing, the LCM-1E are equipped with a radar navigation, GPS, gyro needle/magnetic and HF communications equipment, VHF and UHF.

Another important point is the speed and autonomy. The propulsion is by two engines MAN of 806 kW and two water jet propellers (waterjets), offering a speed of 22 knots without load and 13.5 knots laden, with a range of 190 nautical miles (352 km).

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 tonnes maximum for the transfer of vehicles one barge to another.

The watercraft enable the transport of troops and equipment from the LHDs to the shore including where there are no fixed port facilities.

A Royal Australian Navy Landing Craft transports Australian Army Armoured Personnel Carriers from HMAS Adelaide to Cowley Beach, during exercises in Queensland.

A Royal Australian Navy Light Landing Craft transports an Australian Army M1A1 Abrams main battle tank as part of load trials onboard HMAS Canberra.

Royal Australian Navy Light Landing Craft load trials.