BAE Systems to modernise USS Gettysburg
Courtesy BAE Systems
The Gettysburg will undergo about 15 months of work at the company’s shipyard in Norfolk, Virginia, the ship’s homeport. The contract includes options that, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value to $151.3 million.
Starting in January 2019, the Gettysburg will undergo extensive repair and upgrade work that will return the ship to full capability after nearly four years of inactive status under the Navy’s cruiser modernisation programme. BAE Systems’ Norfolk shipyard performed the initial modernisation work on board the ship in 2016, including the removal of obsolete equipment and replacement of critical aluminum shipboard structures.
“We brought a lot of expertise to bear for a good start to the Gettysburg’s modernisation two years ago,” said Dave Thomas, vice president and general manager of BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair. “Working again with the Navy and our ship repair partners, we will return the Gettysburg back to the fleet in enhanced shape with clear improvements to its operational capability and better habitability for the crew.”
Under the new contract, BAE Systems will upgrade the ship’s weapons and engineering equipment; support the installation of a new Aegis combat system, new communications suite and the Consolidated Afloat Network Enterprise Systems (CANES); and renovate the crew’s living spaces aboard the 27-year-old ship. The work is scheduled to be complete in March 2020. BAE Systems’ work is expected to extend the service life of the Gettysburg to 2035.
BAE Systems provides ship repair, maintenance, modernisation, conversion and overhaul services for the US Navy, other government agencies and select commercial customers. The company operates four full-service shipyards in California, Florida, Hawaii and Virginia, with eight dry docks/marine railways and significant pier space and ship support services.
