Press Release
Vancouver, WA, June 4, 2024
Vigor begins low rate initial production work on U.S. Army landing craft
Following completion of prototype, LRIP fabrication begins in Vancouver, WA
Vigor, a Titan Company, has begun low rate initial production (LRIP) on the Maneuver Support Vehicle (Light) (MSV(L)) vessel at its facility in Vancouver, WA.
The new generation U.S. Army landing craft replaces the Vietnam-era Landing Craft Mechanized 8 (LCM-8). Vigor completed and launched the prototype vessel, SSG Elroy F. Wells, in 2022 and now commences work on the next phase of the new $1 billion contract. More than 180 skilled workers are expected to support the project over the next five years.
“Beginning this work represents a milestone for the Army, for Vigor and for our employees,” said Jayson Robinson, Vigor’s Vice President of Fabrication. “It is a credit to the great work of our team over the last several years and the partnership with the Army to have the opportunity to take what we have learned from the prototype and build the next generation of landing craft. Our employees are incredibly proud to support our national defense and our customer’s critical mission.”
Vigor was originally awarded the contract in 2017 and secured the Vancouver, WA facility to complete the prototype, multiple vessels under low rate production, and several more over ten years. The vessel is designed to support Army Mariners and their payload in even the most difficult environments due to its state-of-the-art maneuverability and stability.
After undergoing sea trials throughout 2023, Vigor and the Army completed the DD 250 handoff of the prototype vessel in February and began planning for production of future vessels. The next phase of fabrication began this week and will continue for the next five years
“This project will not only improve the Army’s capabilities, it provides more than 180 family wage jobs here in Vancouver,” Robinson said. “We are honored to have been selected for this work and committed to providing a quality, reliable vessel to our customer.”
About Vigor Marine Group
Vigor Marine Group is a values-driven, established, differentiated, integrated partner with a national footprint in marine maintenance and modernization, marine fabrication, and marine services. With operations in six locations, the family of companies employs 2,500 people in the Pacific Northwest, Virginia, California and Alaska. Our spirit of innovation and legacy of performance make Vigor Marine Group a preferred, full-service prime contractor in the defense and maritime sectors, offering advanced services and complete solutions for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, Military Sealift Command, state ferry systems, the cruise industry, the commercial fishing industry, and more. With deep respect for people and the planet, Vigor Marine Group strives to be a positive, regenerative force for good – environmentally, in the lives of its employees and in the community. For more information, visit vigormarine.comOpens in a new tab.
About Titan
A family of bicoastal leaders in ship repair, ship modernization, marine and complex fabrication services, Titan Acquisition Holdings was formed in 2019. Titan is the parent company of Vigor, operating in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska; MHI Holdings, based in Norfolk, Virginia; and Continental Maritime of San Diego (CMSD) in California. Notable Titan family customers include Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, U.S. Navy, Military Sealift Command, Maritime Administration, U.S. Army, local and state ferry systems, and commercial ship owners.
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Benton Strong,
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