U.S. Navy awards three prototype deals to speed LCU 1700 production, bolster maritime industrial base

The U.S. Navy has selected three shipyards to build prototype LCU 1700 landing craft under rapid-prototyping agreements intended to broaden the service’s industrial base and create a resilient second source of supply for amphibious connectors. The initial obligation for the effort is $280,521,389, according to the Navy.

“By selecting three distinct shipyards, the Navy is expanding its shipbuilding industrial base capacity and building a resilient “second source” of supply for landing craft,” said William F. Mahan, who is performing the duties of Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition. “Other Transaction prototype authority allows the Navy to move at the speed of relevance.”

Funded by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), the initiative uses Other Transaction prototype authority under 10 U.S.C. § 4022 to accelerate delivery of littoral capabilities, validate a production-ready technical data package, and stand up parallel supply chains. Each yard will build two or three prototype craft while refining manufacturing approaches aimed at eventual high-rate output.

The LCU 1700 replaces the decades-old LCU 1610 class, whose boats now average more than 50 years in service. The new craft are designed for higher reliability, greater payload, longer range, and full compatibility with the Navy’s amphibious assault ships. Deliveries of the new builds are slated to begin in late 2028 and continue through 2029.

In August, the Navy accepted its first LCU 1700-class boat, LCU 1710, from Austal USA. The new competitive awards are intended to seed a durable, multi-source production base and introduce modern construction methods across three sites. By fabricating against the technical data package now, the Navy aims to reduce risk ahead of a transition to serial production for the rest of the program.

The Navy did not identify the three shipyards in its announcement.