BAE Systems has bagged a contract worth $294.7 million from the US Navy to drydock and carry out more than 20 months of maintenance and modernization work on the latter’s USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), a third Wasp-class amphibious assault ship.

According to the British arms, security, and aerospace company, the contract has options, which will bring the total value of the contract to $340.3 million, if exercised.

BAE Systems said that the maintenance availability of the USS Kearsarge assault ship will start in April 2022 and from June, the 843ft long US Navy ship will be drydocked for almost a year at the company’s shipyard in Norfolk, Virginia.

The Norfolk shipyard will undertake extensive hull, mechanical, and work, inspect the boilers of the ship, rehabilitate all crew and embarked Marine living compartments onboard.

BAE Systems is likely to wrap up work aboard the 29-year-old USS Kearsarge ship in January 2025.

Mike Bruneau — vice president and general manager of BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair said: “The extended sustainment period onboard the USS Kearsarge provides a great environment to apply BAE Systems’ substantial experience with ships of the same class and considerable production skills, and supports job stability across our shipyard and supply base.

“Through our maintenance and modernization efforts, the Kearsarge will be ready to deploy for many years to come.”

  BAE Systems, Defense industry news, Mike Bruneau, Norfolk, US Navy, USA, Virginia