US Navy seeks suppliers for Landing Craft Utility 1700-class
A Landing Craft Utility approaches the well deck of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan. (Photo: US Navy)
The US Navy (USN) has been working on the acquisition process of Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1700 class and is currently conducting market research to identify potential suppliers for the new capabilities.
In a sources sought notice published last week, the Naval Sea System Command (NAVSEA) claimed that a request for proposals (RfP) should be published in early 2026, “with contract award to follow later”.
“The government would be interested in both the most economically built profile as well as the most aggressive timeline,” the document stated.
The new capabilities will replace the 1610-class vessels, which have been in service
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
Ukraine war drives ‘minimum deployable capability’ doctrine in uncrewed systems development
Ukraine’s battlefield has rewritten the rules of uncrewed systems development. For Syos Aerospace, real-time operator feedback, lean serial production and a system-of-systems philosophy are central to its operating model.
-
AUKUS advance on UUVs contrasts with Virginia-class compromise
The AUKUS partnership is accelerating uncrewed undersea capability while its submarine arm inches forward, and Australia’s decision to settle for three in-service Virginia-class boats raises questions about industrial risk, dependency and whether Pillar II may deliver meaningful capability long before Pillar I can.
-
AUKUS plan B? Japan’s submarines stopgap gains traction
Australia’s Collins-class life of type extension has revived debate over whether Canberra needs a contingency plan as risks to every stage of the AUKUS pathway mount. With Japan newly open to exports, the case for a diesel-electric stopgap is gaining traction.
-
Seoul’s SSN programme launch raises questions on fuel, tech and build location
Seoul has unveiled its “Jangbogo-N Project” to develop domestically built, nuclear-propelled attack submarines in close coordination with Washington, marking an escalation of the Republic of Korea’s deterrence posture against Pyongyang’s undersea nuclear capabilities.