Royal Australian Navy landing helicopter dock HMAS Canberra has completed trials to transport an M1A1 main battle tank and large vehicle loads ashore using an LHD landing craft.

The tests, carried out with the Australian Army’s 3rd Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Regiment and 3rd Combat Service Support Battalion, took place after the landing craft recently underwent an engine room modification which increased the carrying capacity from 38,000kg to greater than 60 tons, allowing the landing craft to carry the army’s heavy tracked vehicles.