Hull and propulsion development raised speed from about five to seven and a half knots without increasing engine power, while the craft's capacity grew to a 16-ton tank. The evolved design drew two and a half feet forward and three and a half feet aft when beaching. Each LCM required a six-person crew, with an officer assigned across every three craft. Early designs for amphibious support ships envisaged twelve LCMs. Three lieutenants would each command three craft, with a lieutenant commander responsible for the full twelve-craft group. Command arrangements and parent-ship capacity were therefore being planned alongside the boats themselves.
Notable Point · 41:31-42:52
A faster LCM required flotilla planning
The mature LCM reached about seven and a half knots, carried a 16-ton tank, and was incorporated into early plans for twelve-craft amphibious ship groups.