The U.S. Navy has reoriented its Landing Ship Medium (LSM) programme around the Dutch-built LST-100 design, aiming to accelerate production of the McClung-class vessels that will support Marine Corps littoral operations.
Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) confirmed that it paid Dutch shipbuilder Damen $3.3 million for the LST-100 technical data package, which will now form the basis of the service’s future landing ship fleet.
NAVSEA stated that selecting a mature, non-developmental platform would help shorten acquisition timelines and rapidly field the capability needed for Marine Littoral Regiments operating under the Marine Corps’ Force Design reforms.
The 4,000-ton LST-100 has a range of about 4,000 nautical miles and can carry roughly 250 embarked Marines, according to Damen’s specifications.
U.S. Secretary of the Navy John Phelan, speaking at the Reagan National Defense Forum, said the Navy chose the LST-100 because it is a proven design requiring few, if any, modifications.
He stated that all
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