The new vessels are expected to be significantly larger and more capable than their predecessors, boasting increased range, a steel hull and heavy-lift capabilities.
Raytheon/Austal/BMT
Raytheon Australia, in collaboration with shipbuilder Austal and design firm BMT, is pitching a variant of BMT’s Caimen landing craft adapted to Australian conditions. While it retains the type’s distinctive tribow monohull hull form, the vessel will not feature a stern ramp and will be built entirely of steel. If the Raytheon led team is successful, Austal will build the BMT designed vessels at its facilities in Henderson, with Raytheon managing overall systems integration. More details about this proposal can be found here.
Serco/Civmec
The Australian Maritime Alliance is hoping that its new Oboe design will be selected for the requirement. The Australian Maritime Alliance is a new joint venture, made up of Serco and Civmec, formed specifically for LAND 8710A. During INDO PACIFIC 2022, Serco was displaying a 1/16th scale model of the design which recently completed tank testing, which they say proves the maturity of the design. Unlike the Raytheon offering, Oboe boasts a rear ramp, allowing more flexibility in loading cargo. If selected to replace the LMC-8s, the vessels will be built by Civmec to a design from Serco. More details here.
Navantia Australia/UGL
The final team who have released details about their bid is Navantia Australia and UGL. They’re proposing a version of Navantia Australia’s domestically developed Kodal landing craft. Significantly, this is the first time that Navantia is bidding as Navantia Australia for an Australian contract. According to Navantia Australia, the Kodal design is capable of doing more than just cargo transport and can be adapted for operations as a UAS or UUV control platform. If Navantia Australia is selected, UGL will build the vessels in Western Australia.
Australian company Birdon is also understood to be bidding for the competition, though they have released next-to-no details about their offering.
