The US Navy’s Southwest Regional Maintenance Center (SWRMC) has supported BAE Systems’ efforts to double dock two Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.

The two destroyers are undergoing simultaneous maintenance and repair in BAE Systems Ship Repair’s dry dock in San Diego, California.

BAE Systems was awarded two contracts by the navy last month to undertake tandem docking of the destroyers.

US Navy research, development and acquisition assistant secretary James Geurts said: “The double docking effort by industry and the navy team is a great example of increasing agility with resources available.

“The concept of double docking Stethem and Decatur can pay long-term dividends to our maintenance planning, strategies and execution to get the increased output needed. This docking adds depth to our maintenance capabilities and builds the muscle memory needed to do it again in the future. It’s increasing flexibility within our existing industrial base.”

The navy previously collaborated with industry to simultaneously dry-dock two surface ships in 2012, when USS Mason (DDG 87) and USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) were docked in Norfolk.

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Naval Sea Systems Command commander vice-admiral Tom Moore said: “This is an example of how the navy and our private shipyards are working with a sense of urgency to get ships in and out of maintenance availabilities on time. By doubling up in Pride of California, we’re maximising our available resources.”

SWRMC worked to prepare the destroyers for the simultaneously dry-docking process.

SWRMC Waterfront Operation DDG Program Manager Mike Sylva said: “SWRMC maintenance teams had to work under a very tight timeline after the ships arrived in San Diego to meet the docking event’s requirements.”

Each of the two Arleigh Burke-class destroyers has a displacement of about 9,000t. The ships are expected to be re-floated in April next year.