US Navy Awards BAE Systems A $295 Million Contract Toward USS Kearsarge Modernisation

BAE Systems reportedly received a contract worth $294.7 million from the US Navy to drydock and performed over 20 months of maintenance and modernization activities on the amphibious assault vessel USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). The contract includes some options that, if exercised, would fetch a cumulative value of about $340.3 million.

Following the awarded contract, the maintenance availability of the USS Kearsarge is expected to begin in April 2022. Starting in June 2022, the 843-foot-long vessel will be drydocked for about a year at the Norfolk shipyard of BAE Systems. The shipyard is expected to perform extensive tank, hull, and mechanical activities, rehabilitate crew and embarked Marine living compartments on the vessel, and inspects the vessel’s boilers. BAE Systems is expected to finish the work aboard the 29-year-old ship by January 2025.

The extended sustainment phase on the USS Kearsarge provides a leading environment to apply BAE Systems’ experience with vessels of the same class and considerable production skills and also supports job stability across the firm’s supply base and shipyard, mentioned Mike Bruneau, VP, and GM of BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair. The Kearsarge will be prepared to deploy for years through modernization and maintenance activities.

USS Kearsarge is reportedly the third vessel of the USS Wasp class of US Navy amphibious assault vessels specifically designed to carry out expeditionary Marines and equipment worldwide. The current Kearsarge is the fourth US Navy vessel to sail with the name. The firm’s Norfolk shipyard is also finishing a modernization project of similar nature on the Wasp.

To prepare for future drydocking activities, the Kearsarge, BAE Systems has reportedly been hiring temporary workers and employees. The Norfolk shipyard employs almost 1,000 individuals across skilled marine trades and support roles.

Reference: Janes, Baesystems