Austal begins construction of US Navy’s fourth LCU

December 25, 2025, by Fatima Bahtić

Shipbuilder Austal USA has started construction on the fourth US Navy’s landing craft utility (LCU) at the company’s Mobile, Alabama, ship manufacturing facility.

As informed, the ceremony took place on December 18, 2025. LCU 1713 is the fourth unit Austal is building under $91.5 million deal awarded by the navy in 2023. The contract includes up to twelve new LCUs.

This important milestone marks the start of the vessel’s life and continues Austal USA’s commitment to delivering mission-ready ships.

The LCUs are important connectors for the US Navy and US Marine Corps, moving vehicles, personnel and cargo between amphibious assault ships and the shore. They are carried aboard amphibious assault ships to the objective area and used across a range of military operations.

The vessels have a roll-on / roll-off monohull configuration with hydraulically controlled bow and stern ramps that allow multiple vessels to connect and form a causeway for fast and secure unloading and loading, according to Austal.

They are designed to be transported within and load/unload from the well decks of amphibious assault ships, carrying loads up to 3.5 meters high, above the vessel’s vehicle deck. With a crew of 13, each vessel can conduct independent open ocean transits or operations at sea with a range of 1,200 nautical miles and a top speed of 11 knots.

The first LCU was launched in August this year.