The United States Navy has selected the LST-100, from the Dutch company Damen, as the basis for its new class of Medium Landing Ships (LSM), a cornerstone for future Marine expeditionary concepts.
The plan is to begin construction of the first ship in 2026 and receive it in 2029, marking an effort to avoid delays and excessive costs that affected recent projects. The final fleet is expected to include 35 units capable of rapidly transporting small forces between islands without relying on ports, particularly meeting operational needs in the Pacific.
At approximately 100 meters in length, 4,000 tons, and a range exceeding 6,200 km, the LST-100 can carry up to 234 troops, operate helicopters, and move heavy cargo via ramps at the bow and stern. NAVSEA states that there will be no significant changes to the original design and that the model was chosen precisely because it is already in service in other countries, reducing technical risks and ensuring lower costs.
The Navy also acquired the technical rights to the design, allowing construction at different American shipyards and avoiding dependence on a single supplier.
The program comes at a time when the Navy is attempting to reform its shipbuilding approach following the cancellation of the Constellation-class frigate. Officials say that starting from a ready-made design and standardizing equipment should speed up production and improve reliability. In addition to the LST-100, the service has been seeking interim ships to meet the immediate needs of the Marines.
The expectation is that the new LSM will become a key element of US naval strategy and symbolize a new beginning for the country’s shipbuilding industry.
Source: The War Zone | Photo: X @SECNAV | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
We are fundamentally reshaping how the Navy builds and fields its Fleet. Today, I’m taking the second major step in that effort: selecting the design for our Medium Landing Ship, an operationally driven, fiscally disciplined choice that puts capability in the Fleet on a… pic.twitter.com/7Jqs2hjT48
— Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan (@SECNAV) December 5, 2025
