As part of a $91.3 million contract, Mobile’s Austal USA has commenced work on three landing craft for the U.S. Navy.

The contract also includes options for nine additional craft and associated support efforts.

Ongoing production of the boats, known officially as U.S. Navy Landing Craft Utility (LCU) vessels, is being conducted at the company’s steel shipbuilding line in the Port City.

“The LCU provides strategic value and versatility to the Navy-Marine Corps team,” said U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant General Karsten S. Heckl at an event marking the occasion. “These landing craft will significantly enhance our sea-based Marine Air-Ground Task Forces and Marine Expeditionary Units, providing them with unparalleled flexibility, and the capability to maneuver Marines, sailors and equipment in environments unreachable by other means.”

LCU are carried aboard amphibious assault ships to the objective area and used across a range of military operations to deliver vehicles, personnel, and cargo from sea-to-shore and back.

Dave Growden, Austal’s Vice President of new construction programs, also believes that the craft will have a significant impact on supporting the military.

“Austal USA is honored to be able to build this important connector for the U.S. Navy,” said  Growden. “We recognize the critical role this platform plays in supporting expeditionary operations for the Navy and Marine Corps and are looking forward to continuing to deliver ships and boats to our customers on time and on budget.”

“We are excited to roll these vessels down the assembly line and into the fleet.”

Austal USA is also currently producing two Navy Towing, Salvage and Rescue Ships (T-ATS) and a 90,800 square-foot Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock Medium.

The company also holds multi-ship contracts for the Navy’s TAGOS-25 ocean surveillance ship and the U.S. Coast Guard’s Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter program.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.