Army Watercraft Esp

The Army Watercraft Extended Service Program (ESP) is a critical line item in the FY 2026 Department of Defense budget, supporting the Army's ability to conduct Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) and Joint All Domain Operations (JADO). The primary objective of this program is to provide the Combatant Commander with a dynamic, organic waterborne lift capability for dispersed logistics. This enables the movement of tailored forces, equipment, and bulk supplies across a range of operational environments.

The ESP is designed to mitigate anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) threats by ensuring access to shallow coastal waters, rivers, and inland waterways, particularly where traditional ports or road networks are unavailable.

Funding for the Army Watercraft ESP is allocated for three main modernization efforts: the Landing Craft Utility 2000 (LCU) Service Life Extension Program (SLEP), the Modular Causeway System (MCS) SLEP, and the Modernized Integrated Bridge System (MIBS). Each of these efforts addresses specific fleet age, readiness, configuration control, and management challenges within the Army Watercraft Systems portfolio. The program also supports operational modifications to improve the readiness and maintainability of legacy watercraft, aligning with the Army Watercraft Systems Transformation Strategy (AWSTS) and the Army's Title 10 mission requirements.

The LCU 2000 vessels are essential for intra-theater movement of forces, equipment, and supplies, including containerized, break-bulk, and roll-on/roll-off cargo. Originally designed for a 25-year economic useful life and fielded in the early 1990s, these vessels are now undergoing SLEP to extend their operational life to 40 years. The SLEP package includes engineering change proposals (ECPs) and modifications such as engine repower, power generation upgrades, force protection enhancements, habitability improvements, and configuration resets. The program is structured in phases, with Phase I delivering production vessels, technical data packages, upgraded training systems, and authenticated technical manuals.

The MCS is a key enabler for Joint Logistics Over the Shore (JLOTS) operations, facilitating rapid and increased throughput of forces and supplies. The system comprises Modular Warping Tugs (MWT), Causeway Ferries (CF), Roll-On/Roll-Off Discharge Facilities (RRDF), and Floating Causeways (FC). The SLEP for MCS focuses on extending the useful life of MWT and CF components to 40 years, incorporating ECPs and modifications such as engine and winch repower, and electrical system upgrades. The MCS SLEP leverages prior research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) investments to enable a build to print strategy for production vessels under the Watercraft MATO contract.

The MIBS initiative addresses significant obsolescence and interoperability gaps in the communication suites of Logistics Support Vessels (LSV) and LCU platforms. Deferred modernization has led to challenges in readiness and joint interoperability. MIBS applies technology refreshes and ECPs to reset baseline configurations, improve safety, and ensure compliance with joint operational standards. The program includes delivery of technical data packages, installation of refreshed technology on 25 vessels, upgraded training systems, and updated technical manuals. MIBS installations are performed pier-side to minimize unit disruptions and are planned in four-year cycles to keep pace with evolving maritime communications technology.

Execution of SLEP and MIBS efforts is closely coordinated with On-Condition Cyclic Maintenance (OCCM) schedules to optimize funding and minimize operational disruptions. SLEP packages are applied during planned OCCM shipyard periods, while MIBS installations are conducted pier-side by mobile teams. This integrated approach supports configuration control, operational readiness, and cost efficiency. The FY 2026 base procurement will fund two LCU SLEP vessels, two MCS SLEP vessels, and MIBS upgrades, along with program management and contractor oversight activities.

The Army Watercraft ESP is justified by the need to maintain and modernize critical watercraft assets to support Army and joint force logistics in contested and austere environments. The program's goals are to extend the economic life of existing platforms, improve operational readiness, enhance safety and interoperability, and ensure the Army's watercraft fleet remains capable of supporting future operational requirements. These modernization efforts are essential for maintaining the Army's ability to project and sustain forces globally, especially in support of INDOPACOM and other theater-specific force structure considerations.