40,500-ton warship USS Boxer gets massive $150 million Navy combat upgrade

BAE Systems has secured a $149.8 million U.S. Navy contract to repair and modernize the USS Boxer, an amphibious assault ship weighing about 40,500 tons at full load. The firm-fixed-price award could grow to roughly $180 million if the Navy exercises every contract option. Work will take place at Naval Base San Diego. The USS Boxer, designated LHD 4, will undergo a Selected Restricted Availability, or SRA. That maintenance period allows crews and contractors to address repairs and upgrades before returning the ship to operational duties. Navy workhorse Commissioned in 1995, the USS Boxer belongs to the Wasp-class of amphibious assault ships. The 844-foot vessel serves as a seagoing platform for Marines, helicopters, and advanced combat aircraft. Its roughly 40,500-ton full-load displacement places the ship among the Navy’s largest conventional surface combat vessels. The Boxer can support amphibious operations and aviation missions from its expansive flight deck. It can also operate aircraft such as the F-35B Lightning II, giving the vessel a growing role in modern Marine Corps operations. That combination makes maintenance periods especially important. Shipboard systems face constant wear from aviation operations, deployments and extended time at sea. BAE Systems will handle the modernization and repair work through its Maritime Solutions operation in San Diego. Eric Icke, the unit’s vice president and general manager, said the work would support the Navy’s mission. “Critical maintenance of the USS Boxer will support the U.S. Navy’s vital mission to continue defending our nation,” Icke said. Modernization during restricted availability A Selected Restricted Availability provides the Navy with a scheduled window for significant maintenance and modernization. The process can involve repairs across propulsion, electrical and combat-related systems. BAE Systems did not disclose the complete list of upgrades planned for the Boxer. However, the scope includes critical maintenance, repair and modernization work. The project will take place in San Diego, where the company operates major ship repair facilities. Keeping a 40,500-ton amphibious assault ship ready for deployment requires extensive industrial support. The Boxer warship carries complex aviation, command and amphibious systems within a hull designed for global operations. Work on vessels of that size also demands specialized waterfront infrastructure. BAE Systems operates three full-service shipyards across California, Florida and Virginia. Those facilities provide drydocks, shiplifts, railways and pier-side support for Navy and government vessels. Keeping Boxer mission ready The Boxer has spent nearly three decades supporting U.S. naval operations around the world. The upcoming availability aims to extend that service through repairs and selected modernization. The $149.8 million award gives BAE Systems responsibility for a substantial portion of that effort. Additional options could lift the program’s value by more than $30 million. For the Navy, the project represents another investment in sustaining its existing fleet. New ships take years to design and build, making maintenance essential for preserving available combat power. Once completed, the work should help prepare the USS Boxer for future operations from San Diego. Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Aamir is a seasoned tech journalist with experience at Exhibit Magazine, Republic World, and PR Newswire. With a deep love for all things tech and science, he has spent years decoding the latest innovations and exploring how they shape industries, lifestyles, and the future of humanity.