The U.S. Navy has selected the Damen LST 100 design as the basis for its new Landing Ship Medium (LSM) program.
This decision was made by the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). The command is seeking a platform that can operate in high-risk environments, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, and directly support Marine Corps operations in dispersed and challenging regions.
The goal of the plan is to restore the ability to transport troops, vehicles, and equipment directly to shore without relying on large ports or weak infrastructure. This allows us to prioritize existing, proven designs and accelerate construction at U.S. shipyards. During the evaluation process, we were able to observe LST 100 units that were already in operation, which played a role in our selection.
Current plans call for up to 35 ships to be built in the United States, with Damen providing technical data and support to local shipyards. The company highlights its long-standing collaboration with the U.S. shipbuilding industry, saying more than 150 Damen-designed vessels have been built in the U.S. to date, including patrol vessels used by the Coast Guard.
The LST 100 is approximately 100 meters long, can carry 282 passengers, and can carry out a wide range of missions from helicopter operations and landing transport to humanitarian assistance. The design has also been adopted by Australia in 2025, reinforcing its international acceptance and demonstrating the platform’s versatility in a variety of navies.
source: UK Defence Journal | Photo: Instagram @damenshipyards | This content is created with the help of AI and reviewed by our editorial team
