| Article number: | 10.11.080 |
Landing Craft Utility (LCU) — Landing craft of the Royal Netherlands Navy
“LCU” stands for Landing Craft Utility.
In the Dutch context, this is a vessel primarily used in amphibious operations: it transports equipment and personnel from amphibious transport ships (such as a Landing Platform Dock (LPD)) to the beach or coastal area.
The model is based on the “roll-on / roll-off” principle: vehicles can drive on board and drive off again via the ramp, directly onto the beach
According to the most recent data:
Vessel weight: approx. 255 tonnes.
Payload: approx. 65 tonnes.
Maximum weight on the ramp/hatch: also approx. 65 tonnes.
Capacity: for example, 3 lorries, or 2 armoured vehicles, or a recovery vehicle (‘BARV’), or approximately 130 fully equipped marines.
Crew: 5 people.
Dimensions: length ~36.30 m, width ~6.85 m, height ~8.5 m. Draught forward ~0.85 m, aft ~1.4 m.
Armament: 2 x Browning M2 heavy machine guns.
The Dutch LCUs were deployed alongside amphibious transport ships (LPDs) such as HNLMS Rotterdam and HNLMS Johan de Witt, which are capable of carrying these vessels on board.
The earlier version (Mk I) was used until around 2005. From 2005–2006, the Mk I’s were modernised/extended to Mk II, with, among other things, the length increased by ~9 metres to gain 20 tonnes of additional load capacity and to be able to get closer to the beach.
From around 2023, the Dutch LCU fleet will undergo a Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) to meet new requirements and extend its service life until at least the early 2030s.
Examples of modernisation: new generators, modified wheelhouse, relocation of exhausts to the stern, improved sensors/weapon systems, modern sleeping and living quarters, and added ballistic protection.
On 10 January 2024, the first refurbished LCU vessel was launched.
The LCUs play a crucial role in the rapid and effective deployment of equipment and troops from the sea, particularly when no port is available on land.
They strengthen the Netherlands’ amphibious capabilities and thus its contribution to international operations (such as within the NATO framework) and crisis management.
Specifications:
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Drawing number |
10.11.080 |
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Author |
G.J. Volgers |
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Description |
'LCU landing craft |
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Quality |
'views and cross-sections; with dimensions |
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Scale |
20 |
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Number of A0 sheets |
0 |
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Number of A0 sheets |
0 |
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Number of A1 sheets |
1 |
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Number of A2 sheets |
0 |
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Number of A3 sheets |
0 |
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Number of A4 sheets |
0 |
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Total number of drawing sheets |
1 |
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Number of A4 text pages |
0 |
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Weight in grams |
100 |
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Special features |
'A landing craft with a movable loading/unloading ramp, suitable for demonstrations |
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Comments |
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