General Dynamics receives contract to upgrade USS Peleliu

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SAN DIEGO, June 10 (UPI) -- General Dynamics-NASSCO has received an $18 million contract to upgrade the U.S. Navy's USS Peleliu.

The USS Peleliu (LHA-5) is a Tarawa-class amphibious assault ship, commissioned in 1980.

The $18 million contract awarded to General Dynamics-NASSCO modifies the previous awarded contract for the Peleliu in fiscal 2011 for phased maintenance availabilities.

A PMA includes the depot-level maintenance, alterations and modifications that will update and improve the ship's military and technical capabilities, Navaltoday.com Web site reported Friday.

General Dynamics-NASSCO's Southwest Regional Maintenance Center is the contracting facility and the refurbishment will be performed in San Diego with an expected completion date of this October.

The General Dynamics NASSCO facility is the only major ship construction yard on the U.S. West Coast and has been designing and building ships since 1959, specializing in auxiliary and support ships for the Navy, while constructing oil tankers and dry cargo carriers for commercial markets. The NASSCO facilities employ about 3,600 people.