The US Navy has awarded an $89.4 million contract to UK-based defense contractor BAE Systems for major modernization work aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer the USS Mustin.
The maintenance work, to be performed at the San Diego Naval Base, California, is set to begin next month and is due to be completed in November 2023.
“Under the depot maintenance period (DMP) availability contract awarded, BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair will dry-dock the ship, perform underwater hull preservation work, recondition the engineering spaces, upgrade its command and control equipment, and refurbish the crew’s living spaces,” BAE Systems said in a statement.
The contract also includes options that, if exercised, would extend the contract value up to $95 million.
About the USS Mustin
The Arleigh Burke-class of guided-missile destroyers provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities and can operate independently or as part of carrier strike groups.
The ships can be deployed in anti-air, anti-submarine, and anti-surface warfare.
The USS Mustin is the 39th of the 62 deployed ships in the class, commissioned in July 2003. With a speed of up to 30 knots (56 kilometers/35 miles per hour), the USS Mustin offers a range of 8,148 kilometers (5,062 miles).
Additional Contract for the USS Essex
The US Navy has also awarded BAE Systems a $125.5 million docking selected restricted availability contract to provide maintenance service aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship the USS Essex.
Commissioned in October 1992, the USS Essex is the fifth Navy ship named after Essex County, Massachusetts.
Under the contract, BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair will drydock and repair the internal and external decks and recondition the space for the ship’s crew. Work on the USS Essex will begin in June and is scheduled to be completed by September next year.
The San Diego shipyard is currently completing maintenance and modernization work aboard the USS Boxer, which started in June 2020 and was scheduled for completion last December.