The US Navy has awarded a $30 million contract to Fincantieri Marine Group, the American arm of Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, to initiate the first phase of the Medium Landing Ship (LSM) program. The contract covers the procurement of long-lead materials as well as engineering and preparatory work for the construction of the first four LSM vessels. Shipbuilding is expected to begin as early as the fourth quarter of this year.
The award follows a request for proposals issued in February, seeking a construction manager to coordinate simultaneous shipbuilding across multiple yards, with the aim of accelerating delivery timelines while maintaining cost control.
The LSM program is intended to deliver up to 35 vessels to support amphibious transport, logistics operations, and near-shore deployments. The design is based on the Damen LST-100, selected in late 2025 for its lower technical risk and faster fielding potential compared to custom-built alternatives. The vessel measures approximately 100 meters in length and can carry up to 500,000 kilograms of payload or more than 200 personnel.
It is capable of reaching speeds of around 15 knots and offers an operational range exceeding 3,400 nautical miles, enabling extended deployments in littoral and expeditionary environments.
