Navy to finalize LPD-17 class midlife overhaul requirements this fiscal year

The Navy this fiscal year plans to finalize the requirements for the midlife overhaul of its amphibious transport dock ships, according to an officer overseeing surface ship modernization.

A resource requirements review board will meet this year to determine the requirements in concert with the director of expeditionary warfare's office (N95) as well as the Surface Ship Modernization program office at Naval Sea Systems Command, according to Capt. Kevin Byrne, the program manager for the NAVSEA office.

Byrne, speaking today at the Surface Navy Association's annual conference, also said the first ship to receive an overhaul will be the New Orleans (LPD-18) in FY-26.

Separately, the Navy is in the middle of upgrading several San Antonio-class ships with a focus on software and hardware obsolescence, hull, mechanical and electrical modifications and the Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services program.

Byrne said four LPDs have completed their upgrade availabilities in the past year and two more are scheduled this fiscal year.