Birdon's H260 Heavy Landing Craft Selected for U.S. Marine Corps Evaluation

Australian maritime engineering firm Birdon has been selected by the U.S. Marine Corps (U.S.M.C.) for a "test and evaluation" of its H260 Heavy Landing Craft, a vessel that exhibits similarities with the Landing Ship Medium (LSM) project.

The U.S. Marine Corps is set to assess Birdon’s advanced Heavy Landing Craft – H260 design in a test and evaluation exercise aimed at gauging its suitability for future Marine missions. The H260, characterized as a long-range, shallow draft, independent vessel, shares a lineage with Birdon’s proposed Heavy Landing Craft for the Australian Army LMV-H. It reflects Birdon’s understanding of the Indo-Pacific’s operational challenges, including sea states and landing conditions, aligning with U.S. Marine Corps and Australian Defence Force littoral warfare concepts.

The H260's appearance bears a resemblance to oil and gas offshore support vessels, but with integrated signature reduction features. The 260-foot-long craft boasts a payload capacity of 440 short tons, an 8,000 sq ft deck, accommodation for 72 Marines and 26 crew, a range exceeding 5,000 nautical miles, and a draft of 6.5 feet. These specifications allow access to a larger proportion of beach and riverine offload locations than vessels of similar size. Its adaptability enables the H-260 to accommodate various mission profiles and sustain multiple deployments.

Key features include aft loading and forward enclosed ramps for rapid load transfer and flexibility in landing sites. The forward wheelhouse and accommodation are designed to minimize noise and vibration from the propulsion systems, along with a proprietary bow that reduces pitching moments and accelerations, enhancing habitability for embarked personnel with bunks.

Extensive visibility for all operational activities is provided for crew and commanders, emphasizing operational awareness.

Birdon’s experience in major U.S. Defense programs forms the basis for its partnership with the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory (MCWL).

The Heavy Landing Craft – H260 from Birdon Group shares design and specification similarities with the recently disclosed draft specifications for the Marine Corps’ Landing Ship Medium. The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) issued a solicitation announcement for the Detail Design and Construction (DD&C) of the first six Medium Landing Ships (LSM).

Before the solicitation, NAVSEA sought industry feedback by sharing a draft Request For Proposal (RFP) with preliminary LSM specifications. The LSM is intended to carry at least 75 Marines, transport 600 tons of equipment, and offer an 8,000 square foot cargo area. Its dimensions include a length of 400 feet, a draft of less than 12 feet, and an endurance speed of 14 knots.

Comparing specifications, the H260 accommodates 72 Marines, hauls 440 tons, and features 8,000 square feet of deck space, with a length of 260 feet, a draft of 6.5 feet, and a range of over 5,000 nautical miles. The Marines' decision to experiment with the H260 before constructing their purpose-built solution, expected to begin in 2026, underscores the strategic significance of evaluating alternatives in amphibious operations.