Landing Craft Waterjets Built for Mission Readiness

DELIVERING TROOPS AND EQUIPMENT ASHORE

The LCM‑1E, built by Navantia, serves as an amphibious mechanized landing craft for Canberra‑class LHDs in Navy service.
Designed for beach delivery and shallow-water operations, these landing craft must operate reliably at a range suitable for tactical maneuvering beyond 20 nautical miles from the mother ship, cope with variable loads including vehicles and equipment up to 12 tonnes, and maintain precise navigation in open and near-shore waters.

Marine Jet Power provided a dual MJP 650 CSU mixed-flow waterjet configuration, paired with dual MAN diesel engines, to meet the LLC’s demanding performance profile.

The Compact Steering Unit (CSU) waterjets are designed to fit efficiently in the vessel’s hull while delivering powerful thrust, fast acceleration and excellent maneuverability — critical for landing craft operating in surf zones and shallow waters. Its classic mixed-flow design and duplex stainless steel construction ensure durability, corrosion resistance and operational reliability in harsh maritime environments.

SPEED, AGILITY AND ENDURANCE FOR AMPHIBIOUS DEPLOYMENT

The propulsion system enables the craft to achieve:

• Efficient high-speed transit (up to 22 knots unloaded)
• Shallow draft operation without propulsion damage risk
• Responsive steering control during beach approach and departure
• Reliable performance under varying load conditions

The dual MJP 650 CSU waterjets provide a well-balanced combination of thrust, range and control for the Navy's landing craft.

Operational outcomes include:

• High transit speed for rapid deployment beyond the horizon
• Shallow water capability for beach landings and roll-on/roll-off vehicle delivery
• Enhanced maneuverability in surf and near-shore environments
• Extended range (~190 nautical miles) for tactical reach
• Efficient fuel consumption contributing to mission endurance

The propulsion system boosts operational flexibility — enabling the LLC to fulfill amphibious, logistic and humanitarian missions with reliability and performance.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

The propulsion system pairs two MAN D‑2842 LE 402X engines (809 kW each) with twin MJP 650 CSU waterjets. This setup delivers speeds up to 22 knots unloaded and 13.5 knots when loaded. At standard cruising speed, the vessel achieves a range of approximately 190 nautical miles or 350 kilometers, ensuring both agility and endurance.

The LCM‑1E includes a stern gate that allows roll‑on/roll‑off loading of vehicles up to 12 tonnes directly onto the floodable deck. This feature enables rapid deployment of tanks, trucks or tactical vehicles without requiring additional transport vessels.

Each craft measures 23.3 meters in length, displaces around 110 tonnes when fully loaded and maintains a shallow draft for shore access. A crew of four handles deployment, retrieval and onboard operations, making the LCM‑1E a vital connector for amphibious and humanitarian missions.

WHY THE MJP 650 CSU
Navantia chose the 650 CSU for its balance of efficiency, speed, range, and durability. This makes it ideal for vessels that must deploy from larger ships, carry vehicles and personnel ashore, and support humanitarian and rescue operations.

The Compact Steering Unit (CSU) fits into spaces where split‑duct buckets cannot. Its classic bucket design allows closer waterjet spacing.The 650 CSU offers precise maneuverability, fast acceleration, and excellent top speed. Its customizable mixed‑flow pump intake is available in composite, steel, or aluminum. A precision‑engineered duplex stainless steel structure delivers double the strength and superior corrosion resistance compared to standard material.