BAE Systems has received $170.7 million in contracts from the U.S. Navy to perform simultaneous maintenance and repair on two Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) guided-missile destroyers in its San Diego shipyard, BAE Systems reported on Wednesday.Â
The shipyard will tandem dry-dock the USS Stethem (DDG 63) and USS Decatur (DDG 73) in October. If all contract options are exercised, the cumulative value would rise to $185 million. The synchronized two-ship docking will be a first for the newest dry-dock in San Diego.
The ability to simultaneously dock two DDGs is a special capability that BAE Systems brings to our Navy customer and comes at a critical time when additional throughput is necessary to meet surface combatant demands and modernization requirements,†said David M. Thomas Jr., vice president and general manager of BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair.Â
“Beyond the remarkable nature of this tandem docking, it will be business as usual for our shipyard team and partners given our significant experience working with the Arleigh Burke class,†Thomas said.Â
The USS Stethem and USS Decatur will be lifted together inside BAE Systems’ “Pride of California†dry-dock. Installed in 2017, the Pride of California is 950 feet long, 160 feet wide and has a lifting capacity of 55,000 tons – making it the largest floating dry-dock in San Diego. The destroyers each displace about 9,000 tons and are expected to be re-floated in April 2020.
BAE Systems’ San Diego shipyard currently employs about 1,300 people and hundreds of temporary workers and subcontractors nearby the San Diego-Coronado Bridge.
About BAE SystemsÂ
BAE Systems is a leading provider of ship repair, maintenance, modernization, conversion, and overhaul services for the Navy, other government agencies, and select commercial customers. The company operates four full-service shipyards in California, Florida, Hawaii, and Virginia, and offers a highly skilled, experienced workforce, six dry docks, two railways, and significant pier space and ship support services.
