BAE Systems to modernise US Navy’s two guided-missile destroyers

BAE Systems has received a contract worth $83.5m to modernise the US Navy’s guided-missile destroyers USS Carney (DDG 64) and USS Winston S Churchill (DDG 81).

Work under the modernisation contract will be performed at the company’s shipyard in Jacksonville, Florida.

The contracts include options that would bring the cumulative value to $211.6m if exercised.

USS Carney is scheduled to arrive at the shipyard in September following a six-year operational period in Rota, Spain.

Upon its arrival, the 23-year-old ship will be drydocked and undergo repair and upgrade work, including maintenance of the underwater hull, renovation of crew habitability spaces, and upgrades to shipboard systems.

The upgrades are expected to conclude in November next year.

Following its arrival in June next year, USS Winston S Churchill will undergo a 390-day maintenance period.

The 18-year-old ship will undergo modernisation and repair works, including drydocking, the replacement of steel structures onboard, and electronic systems upgrades.

Work aboard the destroyer is scheduled to conclude in July 2022.

BAE Systems Jacksonville Ship Repair general manager Tim Spratto said: “The modernisation work aboard the Carney and Winston S Churchill are significant for our Jacksonville maritime team and important for the service lives and mission capability of these combatants.

“The back-to-back sequencing of work is efficient and beneficial for our employees, our subcontractors, and our navy customer.”

BAE Systems’ Jacksonville shipyard is expecting to hire workers for openings, including welders, pipefitters, electricians, and painters.

USS Carney was commissioned in 1996, while USS Winston S Churchill was commissioned in 2001.