The US Navy has awarded a contract to Raytheon to upgrade the Aegis weapons system on various Arleigh Burke Class destroyers and Ticonderoga Class cruisers.

Under the $13.7m follow-on Aegis modernisation contract, Raytheon will enhance the weapons system’s tracking performance and missile communication capabilities.

The upgradation will also include improving radio frequency signal generation and missile data downlink for ballistic missile defense operations, and enable operation with current missile configurations.

The Aegis weapon system uses Raytheon’s AN/SPY-1 radar transmitter and mk99 fire control system to track and fight against various threats, including planes and missiles.

Work on the programme will be carried out at the company’s facilities in Massachusetts and at the Integrated Air Defense Center, Andover, Massachusetts.