Maneuver Support Vessel (Light)

Maneuver Support Vessel (Light) or MSV(L) is the US Army's replacement for the Vietnam-era Landing Craft Mechanized 8 (LCM-8 or “Mike Boat”) that had been in service since 1959.

Characteristics

  • Length: 100 feet (30 m)
  • Top speed: 18 knots (33 km/h)
  • Range: 360 nautical miles (670 km)[1][2]

The MSL(V) will be able to carry either one M1A2 Abrams tank, two Stryker armored vehicles with slat armor, or four Joint Light Tactical Vehicles with trailers.[1]

Contract

In September 2017, the U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan entered into a contract with Vigor Shipyards for its Vancouver, Washington shipyard to produce the MSV(L). It is a firm fix-price contract for US$979,794,011 with an estimated completion date in 2027.[2]

It was initially planned that a prototype would be available in FY2019, then four in FY21 and FY22. Assuming full production is authorized, 32 will be built between FY23–27, for a total purchase of 36 MSV(L).[1] The first prototype of the Maneuver Support Vessel (Light) was launched in October 2022 at a marine fabrication facility in Vancouver.[3]

Ships in class

Name Hull no. Laid down Launched Commissioned Home Port Status
SSG Elroy F. Wells 17 September 2019 October 2022 Fitting Out

References

  1. ^ a b c Vigor wins $980 million Army contract, MarineLog.com, 2017-09-28
  2. ^ a b Army awards billion-dollar contract for 100-foot landing ships, David B. Larter, DefenseNews.com, 2017-09-29
  3. ^ Staff, Naval News (2022-10-15). "Vigor launches MSV(L) prototype for the U.S. Army". Naval News. Retrieved 2023-06-26.