Editing LCM-8 (section)

==Australian service==
[[File:2 RAR soldiers practice a beah landing during Talisman Sabre 2019.jpg|thumb|An Australian Army LCM-8 showing the extended wheelhouse of the Australian vessels]]

The LCM-8 was constructed in [[Australia]] for the [[Australian Army]] from 1965 to 1967 and again in 1972 using a heavily modified design, crewed (four) and administered by the [[Royal Australian Corps of Transport]] and one engineer from the [[Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers]] (RAEME). The modification of the vessels included an extended enclosed wheelhouse with full [[Galley (kitchen)|galley]] facilities, chart table and storage space to aid in extended operations beyond the original design parameters. A [[water purification]] system allows the vessels to be somewhat independent for longer periods of time. A fully functioning toilet (head) and shower are also installed as part of the [[Bridge (ship)|wheelhouse]] extensions; external provision for bedding is also included for the full crew complement.

The extension of the wheelhouse increased rigidity of the craft leading to excessive vibration and [[cavitation]] with the original three-blade propeller. Further development included a more balanced and expensive five-blade propeller, negating the vibration and cavitation of the original. The prop change found a few negative effects in the beaching performance of the vessel but over time tactics have been changed to suit the new system.

The vessels are also installed with a full suite of electronics allowing the craft to navigate in all weather, day or night in military operations anywhere in the world with little to no special training requirements for an indefinite period.

During the mid-1990s, the Army LCM-8 received a life of type extension with a re-engine program. The original [[Series 71|twin-pac 6-71]] two-stroke [[Detroit Diesel]] engines and [[Allison Transmission|Allison]] mechanical transmissions were replaced with [[Series 92|8v-92 Silver Series]] Detroit Diesel engines and Allison Hydraulic Transmissions thus extending the life of the craft for another 20 years.

Two craft were utilized during the [[Australian contribution to the 2003 invasion of Iraq|invasion of Iraq]] in 2003, patrolling the shallow waters of the [[Khawr Abd Allah]] estuary using {{HMAS|Kanimbla|L 51|6}} as their base of operations. They were extensively used in [[East Timor]] for logistic operations in direct support of multinational peace keepers. Other deployments include [[peacekeeping]] and peace monitoring operations in [[Bougainville Province|Bougainville]] and the [[Solomon Islands]].

The LCM-8 fleet of fifteen was to be replaced by six Australian designed type [[LCM2000]] [[Pump-jet|waterjet]] propelled craft, however these craft were scrapped, after not meeting the required in-service specifications and being deemed not fit for use for the intended [[Kanimbla-class landing platform amphibious|''Kanimbla''-class]].<ref>{{cite journal |last=Williams |first=Adam |date=March 2006 |title=Design and Construction of the Army Watercraft |journal=Navy Engineering Bulletin |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |issue=10 |pages=56–58 |url=https://www.navy.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/Navy_Engineering_Bulletin_March_2006.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224201636/https://www.navy.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/Navy_Engineering_Bulletin_March_2006.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2016-02-24 |format=PDF |accessdate=26 August 2015 }}</ref><ref name="Million dollar craft">{{cite news|last1=Toune |first1=Rachel |title=Million dollar craft lay idle |url=http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2010/07/29/158461_defence.html |work=Townsville Bulletin |date=29 July 2010 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20121230202346/http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2010/07/29/158461_defence.html |archivedate=30 December 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="RACT Journal">{{cite journal|last1=Cole|first1=Captain G.S.|title=Will JP2048 provide Army with an amphibious capability for independent coastal and riverine operations?|journal=Australian Army Transport Journal|date=2014|issue=46|pages=83–87|url=http://www.ract.org.au/sites/default/files/RACT%20Journal%20Issue%2046%202014.pdf|accessdate=26 November 2016}}</ref> The Army will now continue to operate the LCM-8 until 2027.<ref name="Watercraft">{{cite news|last1=Morley|first1=Sgt Dave|title=Specialists rest easy|url=http://www.defence.gov.au/Publications/NewsPapers/Army/editions/1344/1344.pdf|work=Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper|edition=1344|date=12 February 2015|publisher=Department of Defence |location=Canberra, Australia|issn=0729-5685|accessdate=26 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="RACT Journal" /> A new project which aims to replace the Army's LCM-8 landing craft was initiated in early 2021.<ref>{{cite news |title=Defence announces amphibious fleet acquisition plan |url=https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/defence-announces-amphibious-fleet-acquisition-plan |access-date=4 February 2021 |work=Australian Defence Magazine |date=4 February 2021}}</ref>