The U.S. Navy just gave $280 million to three shipyards to build landing craft, and one of those shipyards hasn't opened yet. This is the full story of the LCU 1700: the 50-year-old boats it replaces, the builder that went bankrupt, and the bet the Navy is making to fix it. CHAPTERS 0:00 The $280M Landing Craft Bet 01:35 Meet the Navy's Heavy Pickup Truck 02:35 Why the Replacement Program Stalled 04:21 Back to 2018: The Swiftships Contract 04:48 LCU 1700 Explained: Specs and Role 05:58 What Went Wrong With the First Builder 07:10 The Comeback: LCU 1710 Delivered 08:40 The Technical Data Package Trick 09:33 Why a Drone-Boat Company? 10:35 The Real Price Tag 11:13 What This Changes for the Navy 13:58 What Happens Next 15:37 Wrap-Up and Next Video WHAT YOU'LL LEARN The Navy's Landing Craft, Utility (LCU) is the heavy hauler that carries tanks, trucks, and supplies from amphibious ships to shore. The LCU 1610 class it replaces has averaged more than 50 years of service. In this video we break down why the first replacement contract collapsed, how Austal USA delivered the first LCU 1700 in August 2026, and why the Navy just gave prototype awards to Conrad Shipyard, Master Boat Builders, and Saronic Technologies. We also explain the technical data package, the quiet reason the "prototype" label may matter more than the boats themselves. QUICK FACTS Class: LCU 1700 landing craft utility, replacing the LCU 1610 class Length: 139 ft | Speed: about 11 knots | Range: about 1,200 nautical miles Crew: 14 | Load: roughly 150 tons (sources range to 170), two M1A1 Abrams tanks or up to 400 people Fits the well decks of LPD, LSD, LHD, and most LHA-class amphibious ships Lead ship: LCU 1710, built by Austal USA, delivered August 2026 New awards: $280.5M in prototype agreements, announced September 15, 2026 Deliveries under the new awards: late 2028 through 2029 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is the LCU 1700? A 139-foot steel landing craft that hauls vehicles, troops, and cargo between Navy amphibious ships and shore. Bow and stern ramps let several craft link into a floating causeway. What is it replacing?
Source: The LCU 1700: Everything You Need to Know About This Ship
