MARCH 4, 2013 — General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, is being awarded a $12,326,893 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-09-C-2302) to exercise an option for post-delivery support for the USS Coronado (LCS 4).

LCS 4 is the third ship in the Austal-built, aluminum hulled, Independence variant littoral combat ships. The first ship in the series, USS Independence, was found to have developed what was reported as "aggressive" corrosion" (see earlier story).

Subsequently, shipbuilder Austal said that it had had worked very closely with the U.S. Navy to achieve a comprehensive corrosion management solution for the Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) class. For the Coronado these were to include new anti-corrosion surface treatments to better protect the water jet tunnels and associated structure from galvanic corrosion, while the next ship in the series LCS 6 Jackson was to be protected by an impressed current cathodic protection system (see earlier story).

Under the contract modification announced today, prime contractor Bath Iron Works will perform the planning and implementation of what are described as "deferred design changes that have been identified during the construction period." The Navy says the corrections and upgrades "are necessary to support Coronado's sailaway and follow-on post-delivery test and trials period."

Work will be performed in Mobile, Ala. (76 percent); Bath, Maine (18 percent); and Pittsfield, Mass. (6 percent), and is expected to be complete by February 2014. Fiscal 2009 Shipbuilding and Conversion, Navy funding in the amount of $12,326,893 will be obligated at time of award. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.