US Navy orders $25M in repairs for amphibious landing craft — first sustained procurement for aging fleet

The US Department of Defense awarded a $25 million contract to repair and maintain landing craft air cushion (LCAC) vehicles and ship-to-shore connectors used in amphibious operations. This is a routine maintenance procurement, not a structural change — the Navy is simply paying to keep existing equipment functional.

This is a data point in the slow-motion replacement cycle of the US amphibious fleet, which relies on 1980s-era equipment that is now approaching end of life. The Navy has been delaying major modernization investments for a decade, instead paying contractors to extend the operational life of aging vessels and landing craft. Watch whether these repair contracts continue to grow in value or frequency — sustained increases would signal the Navy is deferring the expensive decision to buy new amphibious platforms.