Publisher's Synopsis
The Landing Craft Mechanized (LCM) was used in Army and Joint combat, stability, and support to civil authority operations for over 50 years. The LCM is the Army's smallest, most practical capability to conduct operational maneuver within the littorals to achieve tactical success, move operationally ready forces by water to austere access points, and rapidly enable sustainment operations via inland waterways. The LCM has exceeded its operational lifecycle and does not meet the Joint Task Force Commanders' required capabilities for waterborne operations. Those requirements include: to carry an M1A2 tank, to maneuver "combat ready" Stryker vehicles, and to rapidly maneuver and deploy combat forces. The Army concept framework together with the Army Transportation Corps' Capability Based Assessment (CBA) of Army watercraft and historical landing craft uses provides a case study into the landing craft capability gap. The Army must decide whether to retain, divest, or pursue a new material landing craft solution that meets the needs of the Joint Task Force Commander. CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION * Historical Uses of Army Landing Craft * Landing Craft Requirements Grounded in Doctrine * The Army Landing Craft Fleet * Logistics Support Vessel * Landing Craft Utility 2000 * Landing Craft Mechanized 8 * CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW * The U.S. Army Capstone Concept * The U.S. Army Operating Concept * The Functional Concept for Movement and Maneuver * The Functional Concept for Sustainment * Army Water Transport Operations * The Landing Craft Air Cushioned (LCAC) * The Army Watercraft Master Plan * Army Transportation Functional Area Analysis (FAA) * Army Watercraft Functional Needs Analysis (FNA) * Army Watercraft Function Solution Analysis (FSA) * Maneuver Support Vessel (Light) Request For Information * How The Army Runs (HTAR), Handbook * The Joint Concept for Entry Operations Vietnam Studies, Riverine Operations 1966-1969 * Operation Just Cause, The Incursion into Panama * The Need for America's Amphibious Capability * CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY * Qualitative Research Method.. Case Study Method * Capability Based Assessment Analysis Model * CHAPTER 4 ANALYSIS * Introduction * Common Scenario Requiring the MSV(L) Findings * What capabilities must the Army retain to meet JTF requirements for waterborne operations? * What capabilities exist to fulfill waterborne requirements? * What is the best way for the Army to fulfill waterborne operations capabilities? * CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS * Conclusions * Recommendations * Field a Material Solution * Incorporate Solutions within Doctrine, Policy, Leadership, and Education * Approaches . Recommendations for Further Study
