Marine Corps Accepts ASC 1 Landing Craft Prototype
The Birdon-designed vessel will begin operational testing with US Marines crewing alongside contracted mariners.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Military Jobs
The US Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory completed technical acceptance of the ASC 1, the first of two ancillary surface craft prototypes designed by Birdon, after validating full operation in Sea State five. The approximately 150-foot vessel is built by C&C Marine and Repair at its Belle Chasse, Louisiana, facilities.
Why it matters
The craft is intended to cover the last tactical mile in support of Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations, addressing how forces move from ship to shore. Evaluation results from 2027 onward will guide future production opportunities in the US and allied countries.
The ASC 1 carries 40 combat-loaded marines and up to 46 tons of cargo, with a 30-foot beam and 4.5-foot draught. Its 117-vessel potential fleet through 2029 is a projection, and the prototype lacks the weapon stations shown in earlier renderings.
The players
US Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory
The Marine Corps research and development organization that completed technical acceptance of the ASC 1 and is overseeing its testing as part of efforts to modernize amphibious operations.
Birdon
The Australian-linked vessel designer and builder whose two ancillary surface craft prototypes were selected by the Marine Corps after a 2024 competitive evaluation.
C&C Marine and Repair
A Louisiana-based shipbuilder that began constructing both Birdon prototypes at its Belle Chasse facilities in June 2025.
The details
The ASC 1 uses waterjet propulsion, can turn within its own length, and can beach bow-first over a bow ramp. A forward-looking sonar detects obstacles and gauges beach slope before the vessel reaches shore.
Timeline
June 2025: C&C Marine and Repair began building both prototypes at its Belle Chasse, Louisiana, facilities.
2024: The Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory selected Birdon after a competitive evaluation of white papers.
2027 onwards: Evaluation results will guide future production opportunities.
Through 2029: A potential fleet of up to 117 vessels is projected.
Market Landscape
The ASC 1 is one of several recent efforts by the US military to replace legacy amphibious landing craft with smaller, more maneuverable vessels suited to contested Indo-Pacific waters. Its selection through a competitive white-paper process reflects a shift toward commercially designed platforms rather than traditional long-cycle naval procurement.
For workers in shipbuilding and defense contracting, the program signals potential demand for marine engineers and welders in Louisiana and beyond. Production decisions tied to 2027 evaluations could determine whether those roles expand or remain limited to prototype work.
The takeaway
The ASC 1 shows how defense programs are increasingly testing commercially designed hardware before committing to large production runs. For readers in the defense sector, the 2027 evaluation window is the milestone to watch.
What happens next
Operational testing with US Marines crewing alongside contracted mariners will begin, and evaluation results from 2027 onward will guide future production decisions.
Further reading
Explore more on Military Jobs to see how defense procurement shapes employment across the country.
