Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII)'s Ingalls Shipbuilding will not only repair the damaged guided missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) but also upgrade it, according to a recent US DoD contract announcement.
PASCAGOULA, Miss. (Jan. 19, 2018) The USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) arrives in the port of Pascagoula, Mississippi on Friday morning, Jan. 19. The ship will now begin restoration and modernization work at Huntington Ingalls' Industries' shipyard in Pascagoula. (Photo by David L. Stoltz)
Huntington Ingalls Inc. - Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Mississippi, is being awarded $30,169,626 for a cost-plus-fixed fee modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-17-C-4444) for the execution of USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) emergent repair and restoration. This effort shall provide for the additional modernization work items and contract growth for collision repairs as well as maintenance for USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62).
Contacted by Navy Recognition, NAVSEA explained: Due to the extent and complexity of the restoration, both repair and new construction procedures will be used to accomplish the restoration and modernization efforts. Various Hull Mechanical and Electrical (HM&E), C4I and Combat System equipment, including the electronic warfare suite, radar, switchboard, gas turbine generator, and air condition plant require repair and/or replacement. Fitzgerald will also receive HM&E, Combat System and C5I upgrades that were originally planned for installation during a fiscal year 2019 availability.
We also learned that the replacement of the existing Mark 45 Mod 2 main gun with the latest variant (Mod 4) was considered for a time, but this will not go ahead in the end.
Work on the ship is expected to occur on a land level facility throughout 2018 and one to two quarters of 2019, followed by an extensive test and trials period to ensure all systems and spaces are restored to full functionality and operational capability. The entire restoration and modernization effort is expected to complete approximately 24 months post work commencement on the ship.
Fitzgerald was involved in a collision with the Philippine-flagged ACX Crystal on June 17. Seven Sailors lost their lives and the ship was damaged on the starboard side above and below the waterline. The U.S. Navy released a comprehensive review of the incident.
