The US Navy has awarded three competitive prototype agreements to Conrad Shipyard, Master Boat Builders, and Saronic Technologies to build the 1700-class landing craft utility (LCU).
The acquisition approach, funded through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), uses prototype authorities under 10 U.S.C. § 4022 to speed up delivery of littoral capabilities, validate a production-ready Technical Data Package (TDP), and expand the number of available production lines.
Under the agreements, each shipyard will build two or three prototype craft and refine its manufacturing plans ahead of high-rate production. The initial construction effort is valued at $280.5 million.
The LCU 1700 is the replacement for the legacy LCU 1610 class, which averages over 50 years of active service. The newly constructed craft will feature improved reliability, increased payload capacity, extended operational reach and compatibility with the Navy’s amphibious warfare ships. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in late 2028 and continue through 2029.
In August, the Navy took delivery of its first LCU 1700-class landing craft, LCU 1710, from Austal USA. By validating the TDPs through actual fabrication, the Navy ensures a low-risk transition to high-rate production for the remainder of the LCU 1700 program.