Security Vessel News Roundup | September 22 – Dutch coast guard patrol boat delivery, submarine rescue ship construction and more

The US Navy has awarded three competitive prototype other transaction (OT) agreements to Conrad Shipyard of Orange, Texas; Master Boat Builders of Coden, Alabama; and Saronic Technologies of Brownsville, Texas, to build new utility landing craft (LCUs) under the LCU-1700-class.

“By selecting three distinct shipyards, the navy is expanding its shipbuilding industrial base capacity and building a resilient 'second source' of supply for landing craft,” said William F. Mahan, who is performing the duties of Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition. “OT prototype authority allows the navy to move at the speed of relevance.”

Under the agreements, each shipyard will construct two or three prototype craft and refine manufacturing plans to support high-rate production.

The total initial construction obligation is US$280,521,389.