LCAC (United Kingdom)

The Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) in British service is a small amphibious hovercraft able to transverse both land and water. Like all amphibious landing craft in the Royal Navy, they are operated by the Royal Marines to transport troops or equipment from ship to shore during an amphibious landing.

Royal Marines Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC).

2000TDX
Further information: Griffon 2000TD hovercraft

The Griffon 2000TDX is the first LCAC(L) to enter service with the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, the added (L) indicates that it is a LCAC Light. The 2000TDX is based on the basic 2000TD model with modifications for military use. Due to the nature of the LCAC (being a hovercraft), they displace very little water despite their large size, they also produce next to no wake at high speed - this makes the LCAC more stealthy than traditional landing craft and with their powerful engines, much faster.

Four LCACs are in service as of 2012, with pennant numbers C21, C22, C23 and C24.[1][2]

Specifications

The Landing Craft Air Cushion 2000TDX has the following specifications:[3]

  • Displacement (full): 6,800 kg (6.8 tonnes)
  • Length: 12.7 m (41 ft 8 in)
  • Width : 6.1 m (20 ft 0 in)
  • Speed (full): 45 kn (83 km/h; 52 mph) (water) 30 kn (56 km/h; 35 mph) (land)
  • Endurance: In excess of 450 nautical miles (830 km) or 12 hours
  • Troops: 18 Royal Marines (2 crew, 16 fully equipped troops)

See also

References
  1. The Royal Navy Handbook, page 106
  2. "The Military Balance 2012", International Institute for Strategic Studies, pp. 170-171
  3. LCAC (Landing Craft Air Cushion), eliteukforces.info, Retrieved 16 June 2014
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