BAE Systems to restore USS Carter vessel
USS Carter Hall is part of the Harpers Ferry class, a cargo variant of the Whidbey Island-class of dock landing ships. (Photo: US Navy/US DoD)
The US Navy (USN) has awarded BAE Systems a US$87 million contract to carry out repair work aboard the dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50), with a contract extension option valued at $5 million.
Restorative works on the vessel will last a year and will take place at BAE Systems’ shipyard and homeport of the USS Carter Hall in Norfolk, Virginia.
The company will begin maintenance and preservation works in July this year. Parts of the ship that will be restored will be the ship’s hull, internal fuel and ballast tanks, as well as the engineering plant.
USS Carter Hall is part of the Harpers Ferry class, a cargo variant of the Whidbey Island-class of dock landing ships (LSD), which can also provide docking and repair services for LCACs and conventional landing craft.
The ships first began construction in April 1991 and were built by Avondale Industries. The first of four ships-in-class was commissioned into service in January 1995 with the US Navy and will be in service for 40 years.
All ships in the Harpes Ferry class underwent a mid-life upgrade by General Dynamics NASSCO between 2009 and 2015 to extend their service lives to 40 years. The upgrade included engine improvements, fuel efficiency measures, advanced engineering controls, increased chilled water capacity and new air compressors.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
Australia’s A$12 billion Perth shipyard upgrade offers positive sign for AUKUS
While the Australian government insists the investment is predominantly aimed at strengthening the country’s defence capabilities, the upgrade also bodes well for the AUKUS pact which Australia’s defence minister said “is going well”.
-
US Coast Guard orders 10 additional Fast Response Cutters
The USCG exercised a $507 million contract option for the acquisition of 10 extra FRCs. This new order will raise the total number of Sentinel-class vessels procured by the service from 67 to 77.
-
DSEI 2025: Red Cat expands into USV production with focus on combat-proven technology
At DSEI 2025, Red Cat outlines its expansion from UAVs into uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), positioning itself as a multi-domain defence provider spanning land, sea, and air.
-
Anduril Australia wins A$1.7 billion Ghost Shark XL-AUV contract
The vessels are expected to deliver a major boost to Australia’s undersea warfare capabilities, with production set to start immediately.