U.S. Navy awards $280M in contracts for LCU 1700 landing craft

The U.S. Navy has awarded three competitive Prototype Other Transaction agreements to expand the production of Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1700 class vessels. The total initial construction obligation for the program is $280,521,389. The selected shipyards are Master Boat Builders, Inc. of Coden, Alabama; Conrad Shipyard, LLC of Orange, Texas; and Saronic Technologies of Brownsville, Texas.

Each shipyard will construct two or three prototype craft to refine manufacturing plans for high-rate production. This initiative aims to build a resilient, multi-source industrial base to replace the legacy LCU 1610 class, which has averaged over 50 years of service. The new LCU 1700 vessels will offer improved reliability, increased payload capacity, and extended operational reach.

For Master Boat Builders, the award marks its first defense shipbuilding contract as a prime shipyard. The company, which previously worked as a subcontractor for Austal USA on the Navajo-class program, will build three new vessels at its Alabama yard, with an option for a fourth. Deliveries for the new craft are scheduled to begin in late 2028 and continue through 2029.