BAE will 'simultaneously' dry-dock two Navy destroyers for maintenance

BAE Systems said today it will "simultaneously" dry-dock two Navy destroyers during upcoming maintenance availabilities at its San Diego facility.

The company yesterday received $170 million in maintenance contracts for the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers Decatur (DDG-73) and Stethem (DDG-63), according to a Defense Department announcement.

"Positioned end to end" the ships will be "lifted together" inside the company's 950-foot-long dry dock, according to a company statement. The work on both ships is expected to be completed by October 2020, according to the Pentagon.

The contract award comes as the Navy struggles with its number of available dry docks. The service acknowledged the problem in its fiscal year 2020 maintenance and modernization plan and has solicited industry to identify unused facilities.

Top Navy shipbuilding officials told reporters at the Pentagon last week that certifying new dry docks could be part of a private shipyard investment plan the service is creating.