Landing craft, utility
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LCU (Landing Craft, Utility) is a type of conventional multi-purpose landing craft of the United States Navy that is also used in many other navies. They are used in amphibious warfare to bring vehicles, tanks , heavy equipment, material, supplies and troops ashore. A ramp each at the bow and stern enables quick loading and unloading.
The LCUs are usually carried in the hulls of large amphibious assault ships such as the Wasp , Tarawa or the dock landing ships of the Whidbey Island and Harpers Ferry classes , where they can be loaded and unloaded individually. The well deck is used for this . This is flooded during operations with LCUs in order to enable the boats to exit the ship's hull. This is done by the transport ship filling large ballast tanks with water, which causes the stern of the ship to sink further into the sea.
history
The emergence of today's LCUs goes back to the landing craft and the experiences made with them from the time of the Second World War .
Technical specifications
LCU 1610, 1627 and 1646 subtypes
| length | 41.1 m |
| width | 8.8 m |
| Draft | 1.07-2.08 m |
| Displacement | 200 t (fully loaded 375 t) |
| speed | 11 kn with freight |
| crew | 14th |
| Propulsion system | 2 × Detroit diesel 12V-71, twin shaft, 680 hp |
| Armament | 2 × 12.7 mm M2HB MG |
| capacity | 170 t |
| Military payload | 125 tons of vehicles and material or 400 marines |
