US Navy Awards $30 Million LSM Contract to Fincantieri

The United States Navy awarded a $30 million contract to Fincantieri Marinette Marine for early engineering and the procurement of long-lead materials for the first four Block 1 Medium Landing Ships (LSMs). The award, announced in mid-April 2026, obligates $15 million in fiscal 2025 funds and aims to reduce schedule risks to enable full ship construction as early as the fourth fiscal quarter of 2026. Work is expected to conclude by September 2027.

Based on Damen Naval's non-developmental LST-100 design, these vessels are intended to support U.S. Marine Corps expeditionary advanced base operations and littoral mobility in contested environments, specifically in the Western Pacific. The Navy plans to procure a total of 35 LSMs. To accelerate the process, the Navy is utilizing a new Vessel Construction Manager model that employs commercial-style practices.

Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan described the program as a fiscally disciplined approach to fleet modernization. Fincantieri Marine Group, which has invested over $800 million in U.S. shipyard modernization over the last decade, will conduct the work across sites in Wisconsin and Louisiana. CEO George Moutafis noted that the award leverages the company's advanced serial production capabilities to deliver ships quickly to the warfighter.