BAE to upgrade US Navy’s amphibious transport dock USS San Diego
Under the DSRA contract, BAE Systems will dry-dock the 684ft-long ship and perform work from this September.
BAE Systems has received a contract from the US Navy for the maintenance and modernisation of the amphibious transport dock USS San Diego (LPD 22).
USS San Diego is the sixth vessel of the San Antonio class. It was commissioned in May 2012.
The value of the docking selected restricted availability (DSRA) contract stands at $90.2m. It could reach $104.8m if all options are exercised.
BAE Systems will dry-dock the 684ft-long ship and work on the ship’s underwater hull, repair its system of ballast tanks, preserve its amphibious well deck area.
The modernisation will also involve refurbishment of the living spaces for nearly 800 sailors and marines.
The work, which would take more than 12 months to complete, is expected to start in September at BAE’s San Diego shipyard.
BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair vice-president and general manager David Thomas said: “The upcoming USS San Diego project is a major event in the service life of the ship, expanding its capability to execute a wide range of naval missions for many years to come.
“Our team of employees, subcontractors and navy personnel look forward to ushering USS San Diego into its next phase of fleet readiness.
“We also recognise the unique and special opportunity to work aboard a ship named for our hometown.”
USS San Diego is the fourth US Navy ship to be named after the southern California city.
BAE’s San Diego shipyard employs more than 1,100 people. This shipyard works with the navy and several subcontractor companies to execute its ship sustainment work.