The Royal Marines Landing Craft

How The Royal Marines Get Ashore

Assault Craft and Helicopter support may be assigned to 3 Commando Brigade to enable the Commander to offload the landing force, and it's intergral heavy logistic support, quickly and efficiently.


Landing Craft Utility - (LCUs)

LCLUs are 27 metres long and are capable of carrying a full rifle company of 120 marines, four lorries or four All Terrain Vehicles (ATV)/Land Rover and Trailer combinations. The LCU has a speed of 9 knots and a range of over 200 nautical miles.





Landing Craft Air Cushion (Light) - (LCAC (L))

12 metres long this hovercraft capable of over 30 knots across water and land, and with an endurance of 12 hours. They can carry 16 fully equipped marines or 2 tonnes of stores.





Rigid Raiding Craft - (RRC)

These small raiding boats 8 metre long, capable of carrying a section of 8 marines with full kit. The new Mk 3 RRC has a 240 BHP inboard diesel engine giving it a speed of more than 30 knots fully laden to a range of 120 nautical miles.





Inflatable Raiding Craft - (IRC Mk2)

A small ‘zodiac’ – type craft, 5 metres long that can carry 5 marines with full kit. They are capable of a speed of 20 knots for up to two hours.





Mexeflotes

Are large pontoons used to moving heavy logistic vehicles and equipment from ship to shore. They may be connected together allowing a floating quay to be constructed over which to off-load vehicles directly from ships.





Lynx

Are equipped with the Tube launched Optical Tracked Wire Guided Missles(TOW) anti tank missile with its 3,750 metre range. In the Light Battlefield Helicopter (LBH) role, with its TOW pods removed, the helicopter is able to carry up to eight fully equipped marines at a speed of 160 knots.





Chinook

Are heavy lift helicopter, which can lift 39 fully equipped marines, or can carry up to two Land Rovers underslung. They can also carry an ATV complete and will be able to lift the new ATV (P) when it comes into service.





Sea King

The Mk4 is the commando version of the Sea King helicopter. It has 6000lbs lift capacity and is used in direct support of the Royal Marines. It is able to carry up to 27 troops and has a range of approx 400 miles. It is also able to carry Land Rovers, 105mm guns and air defence missile systems. The Mk4 has a comprehensive defence suite to detect and deter anti-aircraft radar, missiles and guns.



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