BAE Systems, the weapon’s manufacturer, has announced that it received a $41.8 million contract from the U.S. Navy to perform routine maintenance and modernization of the amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23).

According to a statement released by the BAE Systems on 27 March, the Anchorage will undergo 12 months of restorative work at BAE Systems’ shipyard in San Diego. The contract includes options that, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value to $48.4 million.

“Our team looks forward to working with the Navy and our repair partners to perform important upgrades that ensure the Anchorage remains a very capable amphibious combatant ship,” said David M. Thomas, Jr., vice president and general manager of BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair.

With approximately 1,300 shipyard employees in San Diego, BAE Systems will begin working aboard the 684-foot-long San Antonio-class ship in July 2019. Under the contract, BAE Systems will support the installation of upgraded electronic systems and perform other shipboard improvements. USS Anchorage was commissioned in May 2013 and is named after the Alaskan city. BAE Systems’ work aboard the nearly six-year-old ship is expected to be completed in July 2020.

USS Anchorage (LPD-23) is a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock and the second ship of the United States Navy to be namesake of the U.S. city of Anchorage, Alaska.

The San Antonio class was designed to provide the Navy and U.S. Marine Corps with modern, sea-based platforms that are networked, survivable, and built to operate with 21st century transformational platforms, such as the MV-22 Osprey, the (since canceled) Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV), air-cushioned landing craft (LCACs), and future means by which marines are delivered ashore. The ship is more than 45 percent larger than the Austin class, displacing more than 25,000 tons at full load. It carries fewer troops but has twice as much space for vehicles, landing craft, and aircraft.