The US Navy launched a "floating monster" — the new amphibious assault ship can carry 7 times more than the C-17

LCU 1710 is not just a boat, but a giant from shore to shore

LCU 1710, a new amphibious assault ship capable of carrying more than 1.2 million pounds (about 544 tons), was launched at the shipyard in Mobile, Alabama. For comparison: This is seven times more than the C-17 Globemaster aircraft of the US Air Force can lift into the air. Such a ship is not just a means of delivery, but a bridge between the fleet and land, capable of transferring tanks, armored vehicles, building modules and even floating cranes directly to an unequipped shore.

The LCU 1710 is a machine for those tasks where aircraft are powerless and ports are inaccessible.

Austal USA is betting on steel

Austal USA, known primarily for aluminum ships, is now seriously entering the steel shipbuilding market. LCU 1710 is the first ship of this class built by the steel company. This is an important step: steel is cheaper, stronger, and better suited for large, long-lived vessels, especially in heavy-duty environments.

The project is funded under a $91.5 million contract with the U.S. Navy, concluded in 2023. A total of 12 such ships are planned to be built, and LCU 1710 became the first of this series.

What is a ship carrying that is heavier than an airplane?

Imagine: several Abrams tanks, a column of armored personnel carriers, or heavy engineering equipment can be loaded onto the deck of this ship at once. It is capable of operating from LSD or LPD type ships, taking cargo on board in the open sea, and then delivering it directly to the beach — without the need for ports or berths.

Such mobility is critically important for amphibious operations, humanitarian missions, and the deployment of bases in remote areas.

Twelve of them, and the whole army is on the move

Three LCUs are already being built at the Austal shipyard at the same time. The work will continue over the next decade. Each new ship will increase the Navy's operational flexibility, allowing it to respond more quickly to crises, deploy equipment, and support expeditionary forces.

LCU 1710 is not just a fleet upgrade. This is a step towards a new level of maritime mobility.

Sources

1. WorkBoat — start of LCU 1710 construction
2. Army Recognition — launch of LCU 1710 and its role
3. Naval News — LCU 1700 program details and specifications
4. Naval Technology — overview of the Landing Craft Utility 1700-class project

China's New Medium Tank: Adapting to drone-era warfare and Amphibious operations

A medium tank on parade is a signal of strategic restructuring

During the rehearsals for the Victory Day military parade in Beijing, prototypes of a new medium tank mounted on an 8x8 chassis were seen for the first time. His appearance in public, albeit in preparation for the parade, is seen by analysts as an important signal of shifts in the strategy of the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA). The tank is probably designed for fast mobile operations, including amphibious and expeditionary missions.

This indicates a shift from an exclusive focus on heavy armored vehicles to more flexible, rapidly deployable platforms.

The lessons of the war in Ukraine in Chinese military doctrine

Analysts note that the development of the new tank reflects the lessons China has learned from the course of the special military operation in Ukraine. The vulnerabilities of heavy tanks to pinpoint strikes, including strikes from UAV-based reconnaissance and strike systems, were clearly demonstrated there. At the same time, high mobility, the ability to quickly transfer, and stealth have become crucial factors for survival and efficiency.

China is probably betting on armored vehicles that can be quickly delivered to coastal areas, islands, or mountainous areas — for example, in potential scenarios in the Taiwan Strait or the South China Sea.

Advantages of a medium tank in modern conditions

The medium tank combines sufficient firepower (presumably a 105mm or 125mm cannon) with high mobility and lower weight compared to heavy tanks such as the Type 99. This allows it to be transported by military transport aircraft, unloaded from amphibious ships and quickly maneuvered along difficult roads.

Its design probably includes modular armor, active protection systems and a digital fire control network, which increases survivability and combat effectiveness.

Integration with unmanned systems and air forces

According to experts, special attention is being paid to the integration of the new tank into the man-machine network. It can operate in conjunction with reconnaissance and attack drones, receiving real-time data from them and hitting targets under their guidance. This corresponds to the concept of network-centric warfare, which is actively being developed in the PLA.

This approach minimizes risks for the crew and increases the accuracy and speed of responding to a changing environment.

The French Navy has begun testing the CB 90HSM, Sweden's most modern amphibious assault boat

In the early summer of 2025, the French Navy began testing the advanced high-speed landing craft CB 90HSM, which is the most modern version of the CB 90 series in service with the Royal Swedish Navy. Some French officers and sailors received preliminary training on this vessel under the guidance of their Swedish colleagues, which was an important step in preparing for testing.

These tests cover the so-called "extended period", during which experts will evaluate the combat, transport and tactical capabilities of the boat in various conditions. The main goal is to determine to what extent the CB 90HSM meets the requirements of the French Marine Corps units — Fusiliers marins, which are responsible for protecting both naval bases and ships in open water.

The CB 90HSM is an upgraded version of the original **CB 90**, which has received improved ballistic protection, the ability to install remotely controlled combat modules, and more advanced navigation and communication systems. It is equipped with two Scania DI16 V8 diesel engines, which allows it to reach speeds of over 40 knots, as well as carry up to 21 passengers with full ammunition.

The tests conducted by the French navy may be the first step towards the possible acquisition of this type of boat for the needs of the fleet, especially given the increasing interest of NATO countries in rapid amphibious operations and counteraction in coastal areas. Given the successful operation of the CB 90HSM in Sweden and its high mobility, it is expected that it may be useful for other countries seeking to modernize their coastal and amphibious forces.

South Korea is building the future of the fleet: a multi-purpose command ship for drone control

 

South Korea has embarked on an ambitious project that marks a major transformation of its naval strategy. The focus is on the construction of a new multi—purpose command ship designed to coordinate fleets of air, surface and underwater unmanned systems. This step indicates the emergence of a new model of naval power in the Asia-Pacific region.

In May 2025, the program was presented to the Defense Committee of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, which became an important stage in the official promotion of the project. The goal is to equip the South Korean Navy with a fundamentally new type of vessel capable of not only controlling a group of drones, but also performing a wide range of tasks: from  coordinating precision strikes and supporting amphibious operations to ensuring the safety of maritime communications and eliminating the consequences of natural disasters.

The main contractor is HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI)— one of the leading shipbuilding concerns of the country. The company is currently working on the conceptual design of the ship, and it is expected that the first details of the project will be presented soon to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

This project highlights South Korea's commitment to adapt to the rapidly changing technological environment of modern maritime operations, where autonomy, modularity, and integration of unmanned systems play a key role.

France has launched a large-scale naval exercise Polaris 2025 in the Atlantic

On Monday, France began conducting its largest in recent years, the Polaris 2025 naval exercises, shifting operations to the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The exercises are conducted according to a complex and intense scenario involving simulated attacks on French naval ports,  multinational naval battles and even amphibious operations on the coasts of England and France.

The main objective of the exercises was to test the readiness and coordination of the country's Navy to repel complex threats in a hypothetical large-scale conflict. NATO allies have also been invited to participate in Polaris 2025, which underscores the strategic importance of the exercises in the context of collective defense.

Particular attention is paid to scenarios simulating hybrid attacks on key infrastructure, including submarine bases and fleet control centers. The exercises demonstrated the ability of the French navy to operate both autonomously and in close cooperation with international partners while ensuring the country's interests in the North Atlantic.

Modern elements were also involved — unmanned surface and underwater vehicles, electronic warfare systems and new prototypes of fifth-generation ships, which makes Polaris 2025 not only a demonstration of strength, but also a testing ground for new technology.

The French Navy and the Army conducted the Dragoon Fury 2025 exercise: Testing new technologies in amphibious operations

 The French Navy and Army recently conducted the Dragoon Fury 2025 exercise. They consisted of testing new technologies in amphibious operations to better adapt to the threats faced in modern warfare.

The troops deployed with the Mistral-class LHD Tonnerre simulated a "high-intensity" attack in the south of France, near Toulon. About 700 people were involved. During these exercises, the army and Navy trained to work as a single unit in order to obtain the best possible synergy for an amphibious operation in the restricted area.

More than just an exercise, the latter was an opportunity for the military to work in collaboration with several companies that demonstrated the capabilities of their solutions, especially in terms of drones, to try out new tactics. A dozen companies tested and tested their unmanned systems during the exercises.

Couach  Magellan USV  with a Seasam ROV  payload