U.S. Navy awards USD200 million contract to BAE Systems to upgrade USS Boxer.

BAE Systems has received a $200.3 million contract from the U.S. Navy to drydock and perform nearly 18 months of maintenance and modernization work aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4).

USS Boxer (Picture source: U.S. Navy)

BAE Systems has received a $200.3 million contract from the U.S. Navy to drydock and perform nearly 18 months of maintenance and modernization work aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4). The drydocking of USS Boxer will be the first time the company’s San Diego shipyard will use its 950-foot-long Pride of California drydock to service a large-deck warship. The shipyard is currently nearing completion of another major milestone for the drydock: the first simultaneous docking of two guided-missile destroyers on the West Coast.

BAE Systems’ San Diego shipyard will begin working aboard the 843-foot-long USS Boxer in June 2020. Under the awarded contract, BAE Systems will upgrade the ship to support and operate Joint Strike Fighters on-board; perform hull, tank and mechanical work; and make other shipboard improvements. The shipyard is expected to complete its work aboard the 25-year-old ship in December 2021. The contract includes options that, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value to $207.48 million.

Last October, BAE Systems simultaneously docked the USS Stethem (DDG 63) and USS Decatur (DDG 73). The guided-missile destroyers are scheduled to be re-floated together from the Pride of California drydock later this spring. The Pride of California, the largest drydock in California, is capable of lifting more than 55,000 tons.