Navy Awarded Prototype Landing Craft Production Contracts
Shipbuilders will produce LCU 1700 vessels to update aging infrastructure and expand the industrial supply base.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Manufacturing
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The U.S. Navy awarded three Prototype Other Transaction agreements to Conrad Shipyard, Master Boat Builders, and Saronic Technologies on September 17, 2026. These contracts aim to accelerate the production of the LCU 1700 class craft to replace the legacy LCU 1610 class.
Why it matters
By utilizing prototype authorities, the Navy is aggressively expanding its shipbuilding industrial capacity to ensure a resilient supply chain. This move signals a deliberate shift toward diversifying production partners beyond traditional major contractors.
The awards support a shift toward new LCU 1700 vessels, which will replace the legacy LCU 1610 fleet that has served for 50 years. Recent infrastructure expansion includes a $60 million yard investment by Master Boat Builders.
The players
U.S. Navy
The branch of the U.S. Armed Forces responsible for maritime operations and the procurement of naval vessels.
Conrad Shipyard
A shipbuilding and repair firm based in Orange, Texas, known for extensive industrial capital investment.
Master Boat Builders
A Coden, Alabama-based shipyard currently expanding its footprint with a 20-acre, 150,000-square-foot facility.
Saronic Technologies
A Brownsville, Texas-based defense technology firm developing advanced maritime autonomous systems.
Austal USA
A major shipbuilder that delivered the first LCU 1710 class vessel in August 2026.
The details
The Navy is leveraging 10 U.S.C. § 4022 prototype authorities to streamline the acquisition of LCU 1700 craft, funded through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The winning firms include Conrad Shipyard in Orange, Texas, Master Boat Builders in Coden, Alabama, and Saronic Technologies in Brownsville, Texas. These partners will ramp up production capacity to modernize amphibious logistical capabilities, with initial craft deliveries projected to begin in late 2028.
Timeline
December 2025: Master Boat Builders announced a $60 million yard investment.
July 2026: Saronic Technologies announced its Port Alpha shipyard in Brownsville.
August 2026: The Navy took delivery of the first LCU 1700 class craft, LCU 1710.
September 17, 2026: The Navy announced the award of three prototype contracts.
Late 2028: Craft deliveries are scheduled to begin.
Market Landscape
The Navy is increasingly using 10 U.S.C. § 4022 prototype authorities to bypass traditional, slower procurement cycles in favor of faster industrial expansion. This strategy follows a pattern of fostering diverse, mid-tier shipbuilders to build long-term supply resilience.
Operators in the defense-industrial base should monitor upcoming delivery timelines through 2029 for potential supply chain and subcontracting opportunities. Firms should evaluate the scalability of their own infrastructure against the recent capital investments made by competitors like Master Boat Builders.
The takeaway
The Navy's move to prototype-based awards signals an opportunity for mid-market suppliers to secure long-term government contracts through facility expansion. Business owners should track the scheduled 2028-2029 delivery windows as markers for potential downstream procurement needs.
Further reading
For more on evolving production trends in the sector, see the latest updates in Manufacturing.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Waterways Journal.
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