Hanwha Philly Shipyard Wins $269 Million Contract to Build US Navy's First Medium Landing Ship
Philadelphia — Hanwha Defense USA announced on October 30 in Arlington, Virginia, that it has been selected by TOTE Services, the U.S. Navy's vessel construction manager, to build the first Medium Landing Ship (LSM) for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. The contract is valued at $269 million and covers construction of one ship at Hanwha Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with options for three additional vessels.
The award is Hanwha Defense USA's first contract to build ships for the U.S. Navy. Construction is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2027, and the program's first vessel is expected to be delivered in 2030. TOTE Services won the Navy's $2.2 billion Vessel Construction Manager (VCM) contract in July, supporting the Navy and Marine Corps' planned fleet of 35 LSMs. Hanwha is the first shipbuilder selected through the competitive process TOTE launched in July; discussions with directed shipyards Bollinger Shipyards and Fincantieri Marinette Marine are continuing.
Based on the Dutch Damen LST-100 design, the LSM is 100 meters long and 16 meters wide, with a light displacement of about 2,687 tons and a range of some 7,400 kilometers. It is designed to move Marines, vehicles and equipment between islands and coastal areas, supporting distributed operations in the Indo-Pacific.
"Since acquiring Philly Shipyard in 2024, Hanwha has made significant investments in its workforce and technology to pave the way to build ships for the U.S. Navy and other federal customers," said Michael Coulter, president and CEO of Hanwha Defense USA. TOTE Services President Jeff Dixon said the competitive process secured strong terms for the government, along with build positions that allow construction to start in the fourth quarter of 2027. Hanwha Philly Shipyard previously built and delivered four National Security Multi-Mission Vessels under the same VCM model for the U.S. Maritime Administration.
Source: Hanwha Defense USA
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：美国海军中型登陆舰（LSM）效果图。韩华防务美国公司供图。 / Photo: Artist's rendering of the U.S. Navy Medium Landing Ship (LSM). Courtesy of Hanwha Defense USA.
