thumb|right|300px|Dutch and American LCUs in [[Curaçao, June 2006.]]
A landing craft utility (LCU) is a type of boat used by amphibious forces to transport equipment and troops to the shore. They are capable of transporting tracked or wheeled vehicles and troops from amphibious assault ships to beachheads or piers.
Colombia
The Golfo de Tribugá-class landing craft is an LCU developed by COTECMAR for the Colombian National Navy. The vessel class is also known as BDA () and an unarmored version for logistical and humanitarian services has also been developed, known as BALC ().
Operators
- : 6 in service
- ARC Golfo de Urabá
- ARC Golfo de Tribugá
- ARC Bahía Málaga
- ARC Golfo de Morrosquillo
- ARC Bahía Colombia
- ARC Bahía Solano
- UNGRD: 1 on order for civil service use
- : 1 in service
- : 2 in service
France
thumb|One EDA-R, Bold Alligator 2012.
The Engin de débarquement amphibie rapide (EDA-R) landing catamaran or L-CAT, entered service in January 2011. They can carry a main battle tank like other European LCUs but are capable of much higher speeds, up to .
Germany
Germany has two Barbe-class utility landing craft (Type 520), dating from the mid-1960s, which remain in service under the SEK-M Naval Special Forces' command. Five Barbe landing crafts were transferred to Greece at the end of the Cold War.
India
The Dyugon-class landing craft are operated by the Russian Navy.
Spain
The Armada has 26 LCM-1E in service since 2001 and has been exported to Australia and Turkey.
Sweden
Sweden operates 16 small and fast (25 kn) water jet landing craft (Swedish: Lätt trossbåt) with a displacement of 65 tonnes. They are armed with one 12.7 mm machine gun but can also lay out mines and are equipped with depth charges for anti submarine warfare. The vessel type has been exported to the United Arab Emirates.
HSwMS Loke (A344) is a larger vessel with a displacement of 305 tonnes, capable of carrying 150 tonnes. The ship has a crew of 7 and is armed with two 7.62 mm machine guns.
United Kingdom
LCU Mk.9
The LCU Mk.9 was built for use on the LPDs and where they were operated from the dock in the rear of the ships. Each ship carried four LCUs and four davit mounted LCVPs. The Mk.9 was to see many changes and upgrades during its service including a move from propeller to jet in many cases. The Mk.9 was capable of traveling as an ocean-going vessel and a number would be converted into a version, affectionately known as the "Black Pig", for use in Norway. The crew had full living quarters aboard with galley and heads. In the Falklands War during the Bluff Cove Air Attacks LCU F4 from was bombed and sunk in Choiseul Sound by an Argentine Air Force A-4B Skyhawk of Grupo 5. The Mk.9, like the LPDs, served longer than ever anticipated, providing the backbone of Britain's amphibious assault capabilities.
Three Mk.9s, pennant numbers 701, 705, and 709, remained in service by 2012. However, by 2014, they had all been withdrawn from service.
LCU Mk.10
The LCU Mk.10 class vessels are operated by the Royal Marines. They are intended for use on board the assault ships and and can also be used by the Bay class landing ships. Deliveries of the class started from 1998 and the fleet currently consists of nine vessels. Both Albion and Bulwark are capable of carrying four LCUs each. These vessels are capable of operating independently for up to 14 days with a range of 600 nautical miles. They are capable of operating worldwide, from Arctic operating areas to tropical operating areas. The Mk.10 differs greatly from the Mk.9 with the bridge being set to the side allowing for a roll-on roll-off design. This greatly increases efficiency over the old Mk.9 as loading of the rear LCUs can take place without the LCUs being launched, the LPD having to dock down to do so, to change over and load up, which was a problem prior to the Falklands landings. The LCU Mk.10 has a 7-man crew and can carry up to 120 Marines or alternatively 1 battle tank or 4 lorries. British assault ships also carry smaller LCVPs on davits to transport troops and light vehicles.
Ten Mk.10s, pennant numbers 1001 to 1010, were in service as of 2012.
United States
The United States Navy built 1,394 Landing Craft Tank (LCT) in World War II. Those that were still in use in 1949 were redesignated as Landing craft utility (LCU).
Seventy old LCUs (likely ex-LCTs) were retired from amphibious duties and reclassified as Harbor utility craft (YFU).