Editing LCM-8 (section)

{{Short description|United States Navy landing craft}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = [[File:Lcm-8 1972.jpg|300px|LCM-8 in March 1972]]
| Ship caption = LCM-8 in March 1972
}}
{{Infobox ship class overview
| Name = LCM-8
| In service range = 1959 to present
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Ship class = 
| Ship type = [[Mechanized landing craft]]
| Ship displacement = *57.8 long tons (58.7 t) light
*111.4 long tons (113.2 t) loaded
| Ship length = {{convert|73|ft|7/12|in|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship beam = {{convert|21|ft|0|in|m|1|abbr=on}}
| Ship draft = *{{convert|4|ft|7/12|in|m|abbr=on}} light
*{{convert|5|ft|3|in|m|abbr=on}} loaded
| Ship propulsion = (original) 4, 2-twin-pak GMC 6-71 or Gray Marine 6-71 diesel paired to 2 hydrostatic transmissions [[Detroit Diesel|Detroit]] 12V-71 diesel engines, twin screws
| Ship speed = *{{convert|12|kn|km/h}} light
*{{convert|9|kn|km/h}} loaded
| Ship range = 
| Ship endurance = 
| Ship test depth = 
| Ship boats = 
| Ship capacity = [[M48 Patton]], [[M60 tank]] or 200 troops
| Ship troops = 
| Ship complement = 4–6
| Ship crew = 
| Ship time to activate = 
| Ship sensors = 
| Ship EW = 
| Ship armament = 2 × [[M2 Browning machine gun|.50 caliber M2 Browning machine guns]]
| Ship armour = 
| Ship armor = 
| Ship aircraft = 
| Ship aircraft facilities = 
| Ship notes = 
}}
|}
The '''LCM-8''' ("'''Mike Boat'''") is a [[river boat]] and [[Landing Craft Mechanized|mechanized landing craft]] used by the [[United States Navy]] and [[United States Army|Army]] during the [[Vietnam War]] and subsequent operations. They are currently used by governments and private organizations throughout the world.   The acronym stands for "Landing Craft Mechanized, Mark 8". (The "Mike Boat" term refers to the military phonetic alphabet, LCM being "Lima Charlie Mike".)

The vessel weighs 135,000&nbsp;pounds (61,200&nbsp;kg) and has a crew of four: a [[Boatswain's Mate (US Navy)|Boatswain's Mate]] petty officer, an [[Engineman]] petty officer, a non-rated fireman, and a seaman. US Army specifications call for a crew of six during 24-hour operations: two [[coxswain]]s, two seamen and two enginemen. The LCM-8s are constructed from welded steel and powered by four 6-71 or two 12V71 [[diesel engine]]s, twin propellers, and rudders. The ship can carry 60 [[short ton]]s of cargo.  It was designed by [[Fincantieri_Marinette_Marine|Marinette Marine Corp]].  It has a range of 190 miles at 9 knots with a full load.