BAE Systems has been awarded a $114.5m contract to upgrade the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Bulkeley (DDG 84).

The total contract value is expected to increase to $136.2m if the US Navy chooses to exercise all options.

BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair vice-president and general manager Dave Thomas said: “Our team has significant experience with the Arleigh Burke-class of destroyers and with the Bulkeley in particular.

“We look forward to helping the Navy meet its surface combatant demands with the modernisation work onboard the Bulkeley and other vessels in the shipyard.”

Named after Medal of Honour recipient vice-admiral John Bulkeley, the USS Bulkeley is the 34th ship of the Arleigh Burke-class.



“Under the contract, BAE Systems will undertake hull, mechanical, and electrical repairs, and upgrade the combat systems suite aboard USS Bulkeley.”

The 509.5ft-long ship, which was commissioned in December 2001, is set to arrive at the Norfolk shipyard next month.

Under the contract, BAE Systems will undertake hull, mechanical, and electrical repairs, and upgrade the combat systems suite aboard USS Bulkeley.

The company will deliver the contract work at its Norfolk shipyard. The completion of the maintenance work is anticipated to take place in June next year.

The Norfolk shipyard currently has a 1,200-strong workforce and hundreds of subcontractors.

It is expected to recruit more employees and temporary workers to deliver the maintenance and upgrade work on the Bulkeley and other ships.

With a displacement of 9,180t, USS Bulkeley can achieve speeds of more than 30k. The vessel is armed with one MK 45 MOD 15″/62 calibre gun mounts, two MK 41 vertical launching systems, two MK 15 Block 1B close-in-weapons systems and two MK 32 MOD 14 triple torpedo tubes.