Swiftships LLC, Morgan City, Louisiana, is awarded a $59,283,807 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract N00024-18-C-2401 to exercise an option for the construction of five Landing Craft, Utility 1700 class (1707-1711). Work will be performed in Morgan City, Louisiana, and is expected to be completed by November 2023. Fiscal 2021 shipbuilding and conversion, (Navy) funding in the amount of $59,283,807 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
The U.S. Navy awarded Swiftships LLC a modification to build four more Landing Craft utility (LCU) transportation boats as the service accelerates releasing contracts amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Swiftships has been working with the US Navy (NAVSEA) since 2018. The craft will enter, exit and be transported in well decks of current and programmed U.S. Navy amphibious warfare ships, for design purposes defined by the dimensions of LHD, LPD, LSD and LHA classes without ship alterations, while transporting loads up to 11 feet high above the craft’s vehicle deck.
The LCU 1700-class boats will replace the existing 32 LCU 1610-class of amphibious landing craft on a one-to-one basis. The LCU-1700 is 134 feet long, can reach speeds of 11 knots, has a range of 1,200 nautical miles, and has a crew of 13. It can carry two Humvees, one Stryker Combat Vehicle, 100 troops, or 60 short tons of cargo. The contract announcement noted LCU 1700s will recapitalize the LCU 1610s as a similarly rugged steel craft with a design life of 30 years. The similarities of these two classes of ships to improve efficiency and reduce cost of the training programs, operations and overall ownership cost.
Swiftiships spans the world’s newest technology in the construction of Landing Craft Utilities (LCU). LCU platforms are trusted by the U.S. Navy and other foreign governments for their efficiency, quality and extended capabilities. Class 1700 LCU features advanced propulsion systems and cargo capacity, lower cost maintenance, less crew required to operate, and smaller but more powerful engines to reduce fuel cost. Landing Crafts are effective and adaptable for planned, or emergency, unplanned missions. Swiftships LCU vessels specifications can be modified in accordance to the operator’s needs, and are adaptable to integrate autonomy solutions.
