Austal USA has launched the first LCU 1710 vessel for the U.S. Navy in Mobile, Alabama. This marks the start of a new fleet to replace aging LCU-1650 craft. At 139 feet long with steel hull construction, the modern design supports heavy vehicle and cargo transport with roll-on/roll-off ramps. Multiple LCUs can be linked to form improvised causeways, enhancing rapid offload operations in austere environments. The program is valued at nearly $380 million.
