The U.S. Navy is undergoing a significant transformation in its shipbuilding strategy, as Secretary of the Navy John Phelan announced the selection of a design for the Medium Landing Ship program on Friday. This decision follows the cancellation of four vessels from the troubled Constellation-class frigate program, highlighting a shift in focus towards enhancing naval capabilities in a timely and fiscally responsible manner.
Phelan made the announcement via social media, stating, “We are fundamentally reshaping how the Navy builds and fields its Fleet.” He emphasized that the choice of the LST-100 landing ship transport, designed by Dutch shipbuilder Damen, is a strategic move to ensure operational readiness. The LST-100 is a vessel weighing approximately 4,000 tonnes with a range exceeding 3,400 nautical miles. This design is already being utilized in Australia’s new Heavy Landing Craft, which will be constructed by Austal in Australia.
Addressing Shipbuilding Challenges
The announcement comes at a time when the Navy is facing challenges related to delays across multiple shipbuilding programs. Just last week, the service revealed that it would cancel four Constellation-class frigates at Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Wisconsin, which had not yet started construction. The decision was prompted by severe scheduling issues that have pushed the lead ship’s delivery from April 2026 to April 2029, resulting in a three-year delay.
The Medium Landing Ship program, previously referred to as the Light Amphibious Warship program, aims to procure between 18 and 35 new amphibious vessels. These ships will support Marine Corps operations, particularly focusing on the Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations concept, which is designed to prepare for potential conflicts with China in the Western Pacific. Under this operational framework, the Marine Corps intends to deploy reinforced-platoon-sized units that can maneuver across different islands, launching anti-ship cruise missiles while collaborating with Navy forces.
Phelan noted that the LSMs will play a crucial role in these operations, facilitating the transportation and landing of Marine Corps units. He also mentioned plans to competitively award a Vessel Construction Manager to oversee the LSM program. The Navy’s preference is to have a single shipyard construct all vessels, although multiple yards may be utilized to expedite the program or manage costs effectively.
Broader Implications for U.S. Maritime Strategy
The cancellation of the four Constellation-class frigates is part of a broader trend of significant alterations to federal shipbuilding programs under the current administration. Previous decisions include the scrapping of the U.S. Coast Guard’s planned eleventh Legend-class National Security Cutter at Huntington Ingalls and the partial shutdown of the troubled Offshore Patrol Cutter program at Eastern Shipbuilding.
These changes indicate a growing pattern of cutbacks across various maritime programs, even as U.S. naval and Coast Guard leaders express concern that the nation’s shipyards and industrial base are falling behind China’s advancements. The strategic pivot towards the Medium Landing Ship program reflects the Navy’s commitment to adapting to contemporary security challenges while ensuring that it maintains a capable fleet.
