BAE Systems Receives $11m Contract

The amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17), the first in its class, gets assistance from a tugboat as it prepared to moor at its new homeport at Naval Station Norfolk, Va. in 2006. BAE Systems has been awarded a contract by the Naval Sea Systems Command for work on two LPD-17 San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships, USS New Orleans (LPD 18) and USS Green Bay (LPD 20)Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Airman Apprentice John Suits

BAE Systems has been awarded a contract by the Naval Sea Systems Command for work on two LPD-17 San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships, USS New Orleans (LPD 18) and USS Green Bay (LPD 20). The three-year contract, with an initial value of $11.3 million, is for fitting out availability (FOA) and post shakedown availability (PSA) work on both ships from 2007-2009. Work on the USS New Orleans FOA, is tentatively scheduled to begin in May. All work will be completed at BAE Systems Ship Repair in San Diego and the total value of the contract could reach $54.7 million if all options are exercised.

"This award is a testament to the Navy's confidence in our company capabilities on both the East and West Coasts," said Al Krekich, president, BAE Systems Ship Repair. "Our program managers and tradespeople share lessons learned between our San Diego and Norfolk yards and are skilled at completing these important jobs on schedule and budget. We are honored to once again ensure the nation's premier warships are ready for their important operational missions."

Over four separate work periods, BAE Systems will conduct one FOA and PSA on both the USS New Orleans and USS Green Bay, which are the first San Antonio-class LPDs in the Pacific Fleet. For the fitting out availabilities, the ships are sent from their building yard in New Orleans to BAE Systems, where the remaining work items are finished prior to a series of sea trials. During this availability, the new ship is loaded with much of the equipment, tools, spare parts, food, fuel and everyday items required to conduct operational missions during sea trials.

Sea trials test the vessels under operational conditions. This "shakedown period" helps determine how well a ship's design performs to expectations. BAE Systems then completes a PSA to correct any deficiencies discovered during the sea trials. BAE Systems' contract includes engineering and management support, labor and procurement of materials to accomplish system upgrades and tests, post-sea trial repairs and any necessary emergent repairs.

With a crew of 360 sailors, the San Antonio-class amphibious ships are used to transport and land up to 800 Marines, their equipment and supplies by embarked air cushion or conventional landing craft or amphibious vehicles. They are augmented by helicopters or vertical take off and landing aircraft in amphibious assault, special operations, or expeditionary warfare missions. The ships are 684 feet in length with a displacement of approximately 24,900 long tons, and have top speeds in excess of 22 knots.