BAE Systems secures $155.9 million contract for USS Somerset overhaul

Defense company BAE Systems has been awarded a major US Navy contract valued at $155.9 million to carry out maintenance, modernization, and repairs on the USS Somerset (LPD 25).

As informed, the firm-fixed-price contract, issued by Naval Sea Systems Command, covers the vessel’s fiscal year 2025 docking selected restricted availability (DSRA).

Under the agreement, BAE Systems will provide all necessary labor, supervision, equipment, testing, facilities, and quality assurance to complete the chief of naval operations availability.

The contract includes options that, if exercised, could raise the total value to approximately $178.4 million.

This contract underscores BAE Systems’ role as a key partner in the US Navy’s ship sustainment and readiness strategy on the West Coast.

USS Somerset is a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship designed to support a wide range of expeditionary warfare missions.

Commissioned on March 1, 2014, the vessel is the ninth ship in its class and plays a critical role in transporting and deploying US Marines, their equipment, and supplies by landing craft, air cushion (LCAC), or amphibious assault vehicles (AAVs), augmented by helicopters and MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. It was built by Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII).

In March this year, NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems Landing and Recovery team and the US Department of Defense successfully completed the third recovery test for the crewed Artemis II mission aboard the amphibious transport dock USS Somerset.