BAE secures Navy missile modernization contract

BAE Systems recently secured a $175 million Navy contract to modernize the USS Vicksburg (CG 69) guided-missile cruiser.

The Vicksburg will undergo 18 months of work at the company’s shipyard in Norfolk, Virginia, officials said, which serves as the ship’s homeport.

“Over the last few years, BAE Systems has worked extensively on modernizing the Navy’s Atlantic Fleet cruisers,” Dave Thomas, vice president and general manager of BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, said. “The Vicksburg and Gettysburg modernizations are big jobs. Our experience with cruisers and the expertise of our ship repair partners will return these vital combatants to the fleet with clear improvements and upgraded capability to carry out their missions.”

The pact maintains the modernization period (MODPRD) contract includes options bringing the cumulative value to $175.1 million if exercised.

BAE Systems initiated the initial phase of Vicksburg’s modernization program in 2017. The company would begin the closing MODPRD phase later this month.

Employees and industry partners are slated to work on the ship’s weapons and engineering equipment, including its gas turbine propulsion system while restoring crew habitability spaces and supporting the installation of a new Aegis combat system, communication suite, and CANES (Consolidated Afloat Network Enterprise System).

The Vicksburg’s MODPRD is scheduled to be completed in July 2021.