The US Navy has awarded a contract to General Dynamics (GD) NASSCO for the fit-out availability of the San Antonio-class amphibious assault dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22).

The $37m contract includes options, which, if exercised, would bring the total value of the contract to $134m.

The contract includes specific tasks such as programme management, planning, engineering, design, liaison, scheduling, labour and procurement of incidental material.

The company will also provide on-board repair efforts including piping, structural and machinery work.

The 684ft-long ship has been designed to deliver a marine battalion of 699 officers and fully equipped enlisted men for a variety of expeditionary warfare missions.

The ship has recently completed builders’ sea trials off the Gulf Coast.

Work will be carried out at NASSCO from May 2012 and is expected to be complete by December 2014.