The LST 100 was developed as part of Damen Group's amphibious series, a range of standardized vessels (from 40 to 120 meters) designed to reduce costs and construction timelines through modularity. Unlike "clean-sheet" military designs, the LST 100 was engineered as a non-developmental, sea-going vessel, meaning it was designed for immediate production using proven commercial shipbuilding standards adapted for naval use.[2]
Some key features are:
Beachability: The vessel is designed to beach itself on unimproved shorelines, using clam doors and a ramp to offload heavy equipment and personnel directly onto land.[3]
The Nigerian Navy was the launch customer for the LST 100. The first vessel, NNSKada, was built at Albwardy Damen in Sharjah and delivered in 2022.[5] A second vessel was subsequently ordered.[6]
In December 2025, the U.S. Navy selected the LST 100 as the design basis for its Landing Ship Medium (LSM) program (formerly the Light Amphibious Warship). The U.S. plans to build up to 35 ships, designated as the McClung class, to support the Marine Littoral Regiments' "island-hopping" strategy in the Pacific. The U.S. government purchased the design rights for approximately US$3.3 million to allow for domestic production across multiple American shipyards.[9][10][3][11]
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