US Navy awards General Dynamics $105m for USS Makin Island dry-docking

The U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded General Dynamics a $105.3 million contract for the dry-docking maintenance of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island.

During its phased maintenance availability, Makin Island is set to undergo a combination of maintenance, modernization and repairs.

The overhaul will take place in San Diego, California and is expected to be completed by September 2018.

USS Makin Island is the flagship for the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group which recently completed a seven-month deployment to the Pacific, Middle East, and the Horn of Africa. The group returned home to San Diego on May 15.

Makin Island entered service on October 24, 2009 at Naval Air Station North Island. Although it is the eighth and last Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, it is the first built with gas turbines and an electric drive Auxiliary Propulsion System (APS).