WASHINGTON / SAN DIEGO : BAE Systems has secured two U.S. Navy contracts worth a combined $98 million to modernize and maintain the littoral combat ship USS Kansas City (LCS 22) and the guided-missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG 106), reinforcing San Diego’s role as a key hub for Pacific Fleet sustainment operations.
The work will be carried out by BAE Systems’ Maritime Solutions San Diego division and will support scheduled Docking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA) periods for both vessels beginning in May 2026. DSRA maintenance periods are critical overhauls involving drydocking, structural preservation, system upgrades, and habitability improvements designed to extend a ship’s operational life and fleet readiness.
Major Maintenance for USS Kansas City
Under a $37 million contract, USS Kansas City, a 2,550-ton Independence-class littoral combat ship, will enter drydock at the San Diego shipyard for a comprehensive maintenance cycle. The scope of work includes underwater hull preservation to protect against corrosion, modernization of onboard ship systems, and refurbishment of crew living spaces.
Commissioned in 2020, USS Kansas City is designed for operations in near-shore and contested littoral environments, with mission flexibility focused on surface warfare, mine countermeasures, and maritime security. The planned upgrades are intended to ensure the ship remains fully mission-capable as the Navy continues to refine the operational role of the Independence-class fleet.
The vessel’s accommodations will also be improved for its core crew of 41 sailors, reflecting the Navy’s growing emphasis on crew habitability and endurance during extended deployments.
Extensive Overhaul for USS Stockdale
USS Stockdale, a 9,200-ton Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, will undergo a more extensive maintenance period under a separate $61 million DSRA contract. Planned work includes underwater hull preservation, reconditioning of the superstructure, refurbishment of interior fuel and ballast tanks, and upgrades to crew living spaces.
Commissioned in 2009, USS Stockdale is a multi-mission destroyer equipped for air defense, ballistic missile defense, surface warfare, and anti-submarine operations. The maintenance effort is aimed at sustaining the ship’s combat readiness and structural integrity as it continues to operate at a high operational tempo in the Indo-Pacific region.
Strengthening Fleet Readiness
Eric Icke, vice president and general manager of BAE Systems Maritime Solutions San Diego, said the contracts highlight the company’s long-standing partnership with the U.S. Navy.
“Our team looks forward to executing the scheduled maintenance work aboard the Kansas City and Stockdale,” Icke said. “Working alongside Navy personnel and our subcontractor teammates, our shipyard team will apply our Navy ship repair expertise to ensure both ships return to the fleet fully capable of fulfilling national defense requirements.”
BAE Systems’ San Diego shipyard is one of the Navy’s primary West Coast facilities for surface combatant maintenance, supporting cruisers, destroyers, amphibious ships, and littoral combat ships assigned to the Pacific Fleet.
Strategic Importance
The contracts come amid sustained demand for ship maintenance and modernization as the U.S. Navy faces increased operational commitments and seeks to keep both aging and newer vessels at peak readiness. With both ships scheduled to begin maintenance in May 2026, the work underscores the Navy’s focus on long-term sustainment as a core pillar of maritime strategy.
Once completed, USS Kansas City and USS Stockdale are expected to return to service with enhanced reliability, improved crew conditions, and renewed operational capability, strengthening the Navy’s ability to project power and maintain stability across key maritime regions.
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