Understand that, was not confusing the two, just would have liked to see a bit more speed and keepability, but as you said unless we get LCAC there is nothing out there other than concepts, would have thought we had enought ability to make something in country from something along the lines of the BMT concept, but then againApart from LCACs there is nothing out there - at the moment - faster than the LCM-1E. The key thing to remember about the LCM-1E is they are not a replacement for the LCM8. They won't be going to the Army but to the Navy who will use them effectively as small ships of the LHD. That is they will only be doing ship to shore and back to ship. They will not be sailing independently like the LCM8s do.
So their short range and lack of facilities to look after themselves doesn’t matter so much. They are just the LHD’s runabouts and not coastal/riverine logistics assets like the LCM8s.
JP 2048 will not be seeing like for like replacement. The LCH replacements will be bigger and more effective (what the Army originally wanted) and in larger numbers (6 not 3 LSMs) and will be more effective at the coastal cargo role. The LCM8s will be replaced in 10FSB with the tactical littoral craft (TLC) which will carry a lot less cargo than an LCM8 but be capable of more aggressive missions and be available in larger numbers (16-24).
Edit: Just thought I would ad a link to the BMT Tri Bow Fast Landing Craft for those that have not seen it before
[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laZ_FSWh-Pk"]BMT Fast Landing Craft. - YouTube[/nomedia]