LCU 1700

LCU 1700 under the Navy's Shipbuilding and Conversion budget activity, aims to provide heavy lift capability for transporting personnel, weapons, equipment, and cargo from ship to shore and shore to shore across a range of military operations. The program's specific objectives include conducting 24-hour operations for up to 10 days, providing support for missions requiring persistence such as riverine sustainment, surveillance or port clearing, and executing missions to reinforce, reposition, and resupply forces over a wide operating area. LCU 1700 serves as the functional replacement for the aging LCU 1610 class of landing craft, which have significantly exceeded their 25-year service life. The program involves the construction and delivery of multiple LCU 1700 crafts by different shipbuilders, including Swiftships LLC and Austal USA.

The Navy's LCU 1700 program is focused on modernizing its heavy lift capability by providing a new fleet of landing craft that can effectively support various military operations. The program aims to address the aging fleet of LCU 1610 class landing craft by replacing them with the more advanced LCU 1700 crafts. This initiative involves the construction and delivery of multiple LCU 1700 crafts by different shipbuilders, including Swiftships LLC and Austal USA. The program also addresses construction delays and material availability issues through contract adjustments and the establishment of a second source for procurement. Additionally, the program seeks to ensure continuous landing capabilities for troops, equipment, and supplies while meeting delivery timelines and cost estimates.