Austal USA Holds Keel Laying Ceremony for LCU 1710

June 26, 2024

Mobile, Ala. shipbuilder Austal USA on Wednesday held a keel laying ceremony for LCU 1710, marking the official start of construction on the first of three Landing Craft Utility (LCU) vessels for the U.S. Navy.

Austal USA was awarded a $91.5 million contract in September 2023 that includes three LCU and associated support efforts.

(Photo: Austal USA)
(Photo: Austal USA)

LCU are carried aboard amphibious assault ships to the objective area and used across a range of military operations to deliver vehicles, personnel and cargo from sea-to-shore and back. These connectors provide a heavy-lift capability and can carry about the same payload capacity as seven C-17 aircraft.

Austal USA’s steel line has been active since beginning operation two years ago. Steel shipbuilding production is ongoing for two Navy Towing, Salvage and Rescue Ships (T-ATS) and the Navy’s 90,800 square-foot Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock Medium (AFDM).  Austal USA also holds multi-ship contracts for the Navy’s TAGOS-25 ocean surveillance ship and the U.S. Coast Guard’s Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) program which is scheduled to start construction this summer.

Related News

Are Fresh Vegetables a Key to Seafarer Happiness? Shipbuilding Shares Soar After Trump, Yoon Call First Damen Shrimp Trawler 2607 Completes Sea Trials Trump 2.0: What it Could Mean for Maritime, Energy and Trade PIL Orders Five More Dual-Fuel LNG Container Ships