Austal USA has marked another milestone in its U.S. Navy shipbuilding program with the start of construction on its fourth Landing Craft Utility (LCU) vessel at the company’s ship manufacturing facility in Mobile, Alabama.
The construction start was celebrated on December 18, 2025, as part of a broader Navy contract awarded to Austal USA in September 2023. The $91.5 million agreement includes options for up to 12 LCU vessels and related support efforts, with construction contracts currently awarded for five of the planned vessels.
“Austal USA is proud of the progress being made on these important connectors for the US Navy and Marine Corps,” commented Harley Combs, Vice President of Surface Ship Programs. “Having four of these landing craft vessels under construction, including one that will be delivered in early 2026, is a testament to our commitment of on-time delivery, made possible by our dedicated, highly talented workforce.”
LCU vessels are deployed aboard amphibious assault ships and play a critical role in a wide range of military operations. Designed to transport vehicles, personnel and cargo between ship and shore, the craft provide a heavy-lift capability that allows them to move payloads comparable to multiple C-17 aircraft in a single operation. Their flexibility makes them essential assets for both Navy and Marine Corps missions.
The first of the four vessels currently under construction, LCU 1710, is scheduled for delivery to the Navy in early 2026. The LCU program represents one of three ship classes in serial production on Austal USA’s steel assembly line. In parallel, the shipbuilder is constructing three Navy Towing, Salvage and Rescue Ships (T-ATS) and two Coast Guard Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPC), underscoring the scale and diversity of work underway at the Mobile facility.
With multiple vessels advancing simultaneously, Austal USA continues to expand its role as a key industrial partner supporting U.S. naval and maritime readiness. The ongoing production reflects sustained demand for modern amphibious connectors and highlights the shipbuilder’s growing steel shipbuilding capabilities alongside its established aluminum vessel programs.
Originally reported by Ocean News.
