The Navy wants about three dozen McClung-class landing ships; it has only ordered one from Hanwha’s shipyard in Philadelphia, but could request three more.

The US Navy has chosen Hanwha Philly Shipyard, an American subsidiary of South Korea’s Hanwha maritime giant, for its next McClung-class Medium Landing Ship (LSM) contract—to the tune of approximately $269 million.

The initial award covers one LSM, with options for three additional ships; Hanwha has indicated that construction will begin in the fourth quarter of 2027, with a target delivery date of 2030. The award marks the first large-scale shipbuilding project in Philadelphia since the closure of the former Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in 1995.

About the LST-100 Landing Ship

Though the full design for the McClung class has not yet been released, it draws heavily on the LST-100 landing ship concept developed by Dutch shipbuilder Damen Shipyards.

• Year Introduced: 2022 (Nigeria); anticipated 2030 for US Navy
• Number Built: 1 (45 total planned)
• Length: 328 ft (100 m)
• Beam (Width): 52 ft 6 in (16 m)
• Displacement: 4,000 tons
• Propulsion: Diesel-mechanical propulsion system; two Caterpillar 3516-C engines, two high-performance propeller-pump (CPP) nozzles
• Top Speed: ~15 knots (17 mph, 28 km/h)
• Range: ~3,400 nmi (3,900 mi, 6,300 km); ~15 days’ endurance at sea
• Loadout: ~1,020 sq m (11,000 sq ft) roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) cargo space; can carry up to 500 tons military hardware; ~250 personnel
• Crew: 18–32

The McClung-class concept is a relatively small amphibious transport vessel designed to move Marines, vehicles, weapons, and supplies between coastal locations. With a shallow draft, bow doors, and a loading ramp that permits vehicles and equipment to be unloaded directly onto shorelines, the LSM is all about transport and access to difficult locations—like those found throughout the Indo-Pacific.

The LSM supports the Marine Corps’ Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) concept. Under EABO, small Marine units would operate from dispersed islands and coastal positions rather than relying exclusively on large, centralized bases. These forces could deploy mobile anti-ship missiles, sensors, air defenses, and other equipment. Systems such as NMESIS, which launches the Naval Strike Missile, could threaten hostile surface ships from land while HIMARS could provide additional long-range fires. But to operate as intended, dispersed forces need to be transported between islands, especially where conventional ports aren’t available and where the environment is austere. The LSM is being built to provide that mobility, especially within the First Island Chain, where a potential confrontation with China would place American forces in direct harm from China’s A2/AD system and related missile threats.

South Korea Is Helping Revitalize American Shipyards

Aside from the strategic implications of the build, the contract is also significant because of the company involved. South Korea’s Hanwha Group acquired Philly Shipyard in 2024, expanding its presence in American shipbuilding.

The new facility offers an opportunity to combine American industry with Hanwha’s prodigious experience. The timing of the award is notable, too, as the Navy is confronting shipyard labor shortages, construction delays, and a general difficulty in expanding fleet production to meet the needs of prospective Indo-Pacific operations. Hanwha has announced it will invest in modernizing the Philadelphia facility and developing its workforce. In addition, shipbuilding manager TOTE Services is serving as the program’s Vessel Construction Manager (VCM) and will oversee contracting and construction.

The US Navy’s goal is to build a fleet of approximately 35 McClung-class LSMs. Using multiple shipyards could increase production capacity and reduce dependence on a single builder, though the new acquisition approach has yet to demonstrate that it will deliver ships on schedule.

In the end, the LSM is a relatively humble project—nothing like an aircraft carrier or destroyer. Even so, the LSM will offer an important capability in enabling the Marine Corps to operate across dispersed Pacific locations.

About the Author: Harrison Kass

Harrison Kass is a writer and attorney focused on national security, technology, and political culture. His work has appeared in Tablet, City Journal, The Hill, The Spectator, and The Cipher Brief. He holds a JD from the University of Oregon and a master’s in Global & Joint Program Studies from NYU. More at harrisonkass.com.

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