In a vital move to ensure the sustained readiness of the U.S. Navy’s amphibious fleet, BAE Systems – San Diego Ship Repair has been awarded a significant contract worth $155.9 million for the maintenance, modernization, and repair of the USS Somerset (LPD 25). This firm-fixed-price contract, part of a fiscal year 2025 Docking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA), is a crucial investment in maintaining one of the Navy’s indispensable vessels.
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The USS Somerset is an amphibious transport dock ship of the San Antonio class, designed to support U.S. Marine Corps expeditionary operations by transporting troops, landing craft, and helicopters. These versatile ships are essential for projecting power ashore and responding to global crises. The comprehensive overhaul planned for the USS Somerset will encompass all necessary labor, supervision, equipment, production, testing, facilities, and quality assurance to execute the extensive availability, ensuring the vessel meets the highest performance and readiness standards.
The work on the USS Somerset is scheduled to be completed by January 2027. This contract underscores BAE Systems’ critical role as a key partner in the U.S. Navy’s ship sustainment strategy, particularly on the West Coast, where its San Diego shipyard serves as a primary industrial support location for the Pacific Fleet. The total value of the contract could potentially rise to $178.3 million if all options are exercised, reflecting the scope and importance of the planned upgrades.
Maintaining the operational lifespan of platforms like the USS Somerset is considered essential for sustaining the Navy’s overall fleet readiness and supporting its global missions. Ships of the San Antonio class have seen heavy operational use in forward deployments and amphibious operations since the early 2000s, making scheduled maintenance periods like this a standard and vital part of their lifecycle support.
This contract not only ensures that the USS Somerset remains a capable and reliable asset for the U.S. Navy for years to come but also highlights the ongoing commitment to investing in the nation’s naval defense infrastructure.