Low rate initial production begins for US Army MSV(L) landing craft

US shipbuilder Vigor Industrial has begun low rate initial production (LRIP) on the Maneuver Support Vehicle (Light) (MSV(L)) class of landing craft at its facilities in Vancouver, Washington.

The MSV(L)s will replace the Vietnam-era Landing Craft Mechanized 8 (LCM-8) class of vessels in service with the US Army. Vigor completed and delivered the prototype MSV(L), SSG Elroy F. Wells, in 2022.

Vigor said work will now commence on the next phase of the US$1 billion contract.

Vigor was originally awarded the contract in 2017 and secured the Vancouver facility to complete the prototype, multiple vessels under low rate production, and several more over ten years. The company will supply the army with 36 MSV(L)s over the 10-year period that is stipulated in the contract.

The MSV(L) is designed to support US Army mariners and their payloads in challenging environments, thanks to enhanced manoeuvrability and stability. The design will allow for integration of commercial off-the-shelf subsystems into the hull form to ensure greater parts commonality with existing transport assets in the army inventory.