Designed by Singapore’s Defense Sciences & Technology Agency (DSTA), the Landing Craft, Heavy (LCH) is a class of mechanised amphibious landing craft. These craft are intended to deliver troops and equipment onshore from amphibious assault ships during amphibious assaults. They were designed to replace the FCU (Fast Craft Utility) in use by the RSN.

Front ramp Lowered

Design

The landing craft have the ability to operate over-the-horizon, as they are equipped with radar navigation, GPS, gyro needle/magnetic compasses and HF communications equipment, VHF and UHF. This allows them to operate up to 37 km from their mothership. Propulsion is supplied by two MAN D-2842 LE 402X diesel engines, which supply 809 kilowatts each to the two waterjets, allowing the craft to reach 41 km/h unladen, and 25.0 km/h loaded. Maximum range at economical speeds is 350 km.

Rear Ramp Lowered

The LCH incorporates a stern gate, allowing the loading and unloading of vehicles onto all landing craft within the dry stern dock, without having to open the gate to swap landing craft around. In turn, this saves having to dock down the landing platform, and allows re-stowing of vehicles while the landing platform is underway. There is a maximum limit of 12 tons for the transfer of vehicles in this configuration. The LCH is designed to operate from the Panglima class LHDs, with 4 LCHs able to fit into the well deck.

The LCH can be operated by a crew of three to four people. It measures 23.3m in overall length, 21.27m in floatation length and 6.4m in width.
The LCH is able to carry either 1 Leopard 2SG , 2 Hunter AFV or 2 trucks.

Operators

Republic of Singapore Navy - 16

Just cruisin 'round

General Characteristics

Name: LCH (Landing Craft, Heavy)
Builder: DSTA
Cost: 0.85 Million SGD
Type: Roll-on/roll-off landing craft mechanised
Displacement:
55.7 long tons; 62.4 short tons light
110 long tons; 120 short tons loaded
Length: 23.3 metres
Beam: 6.4 metres
Draught: 1 metre loaded
Ramps: Bow ramp and stern gate
Propulsion:
2 × MAN D-2842 LE 402X diesel engines (809 kW each)
2 × MJP CSU650 waterjets
Speed:
22 knots light
13.5 knots loaded
Range: 350 km at economic speed

Screenshots by alrx