General Dynamics has received a $33 million contract modification for its work to rebuild the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. Photo by Aiyana S. Paschal/US Navy | License Photo

Jan. 17 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy has announced a $33 million modification contract with General Dynamics's shipbuilding division for improvements to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz.

The ship, now the oldest active U.S. aircraft carrier, will undergo a dry-docking planned incremental availability procedure to conduct repairs and modifications to extend its use, the Department of Defense announced on Tuesday.


The $33 million contract with General Dynamics Steel and Shipbuilding Co.-Bremerton is a modification to a previously awarded contract.

The work includes modification and repair of the ship's equipment, hull and systems and will be performed in the company's Bremerton, Wash., shipyard. Work is expected to be completed by May 2019.

The 1,092-feet long USS Nimitz, one of the world's largest warships, was launched in 1972.