After USS Cowpens, US Navy awards contract for USS Gettysburg cruiser modernization

The US Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded BAE Systems a $146.3 million contract for the modernization of Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64).

The cruiser modernization contract for BAE Systems is similar to the one awarded to GD NASSCO for the modernization of USS Cowpens (CG 63) on August 14.

The contract awarded to BAE Systems includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $151,342,267. The company is expected to complete work on the contract by March 2020.

Cowpens and USS Gettysburg started modernization at the same time in fiscal year 2015. The structured modernization is conducted to ensure the ships reach their projected 35-year service life.

Upgrades include the AEGIS baseline 9 combat system, the Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air information sharing and fire control network backed up by the cooperative engagement capability which serves as a real-time sensor netting system.

In the process, the ships will also receive the SPQ-9B multipurpose radar and the AN/SQQ-89A(V)-15 anti-submarine warfare (ASW) suite with multi-function towed array (MFTA).