The Navy said it is conducting an industry day on Aug. 31 for vendors interested in the detail design and construction (DD&C) of the new Landing Ship Medium (LSM) amphibious ship.
The industry day aims to be an “opportunity to engage with Industry Partners, discuss LSM requirements, shipbuilding plans, and gather strategic market research,” Naval Systems Command said in a notice published July 31.
The service also said this will be a forum for industry partners to learn from Program Executive Office Ships PMS 317’s Principal Assistant Program Managers (PAPMs), Assistant Program Managers (APMs), engineers, and functional directors (e.g. technical, sustainment, and cybersecurity) and ask questions related to any challenges with the program.
The Marine Corps is planning for three LSMs to transport each Marine Littoral Regiments, leading 27 vessels or 35 total to also cover ship maintenance schedules. The LSM was previously called the Light Amphibious Warship.
The LSM is also expected to be 200 to 400 feet long, transport up to 75 Marines each and 10,000 square feet of cargo over 3,500 nautical miles.
The Marine Corps has already contracted with Hornbeck Offshore Services [HOS] to lease a modified Offshore Support Vessel made into a Stern Landing Vessel. The SLV is part of the bridging plan to test LSM concepts, which will also include testing via Expeditionary Transfer Dock ships (ESB), Expeditionary Fast Transport ships (T-EPF) and Landing Craft Utility (LCU) vessels.
Previously, in May the Navy issued a Request For Information seeking industrial sources interested in the DD&C of the LSM. That document revealed the Navy is interested in reaching four LSMs procured per year and working from a parent design.