Looks like the LSM concept may just happen after all…

The Damen LST 100 design, which was picked last December to be the Navy LSM– coming to a shipyard near you TOTE Services in Jacksonville yesterday picked up a $2.6 billion contract from Naval Sea Systems Command’s PAE Maritime to serve as Vessel Construction Manager (VCM) for the Medium Landing Ship (LSM) program. You know, the mini-LSTs that the Navy is building for the Marines to shuttle NMESIS missile batteries and light armor around the Western Pacific in a sea-denial-from-the-shore kind of philosophy, setting up what are now termed as a “Marine Corps fires expeditionary advanced base.” A Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System launcher, a command and control vehicle, and a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle are transported by a U.S. Navy Landing Craft Air Cushion from Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands, Hawaii, out to U.S.S. San Diego, Aug. 16, 2021. The movement demonstrated the mobility of a Marine Corps fires expeditionary advanced base, a core concept in the…