US Navy extends Aegis modernisation contract

The US Navy has awarded a contract to Lockheed Martin that will continue the modernisation of its Aegis naval combat hardware and software, the company announced on 4 September.

The ten-year contract with Lockheed Martin marks the next phase of integrating the combat system onboard the navy's fleet, and it is worth around $428 million with all options exercised.

In the next phase of the Ship Integration & Test programme, the company will integrate the Aegis system onboard new Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. It will also modernise destroyers and cruisers to operate the latest iteration of the Aegis configuration, Baseline 9.

Baseline 9 enables ships ro simultaneously defend against airborne threats such as cruise or aircraft missiles as well as intercept ballistic missiles. 

Chris Minster, SI&T senior program manager, Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Training, said: ‘When a ship goes into harm’s way, the combat system must work 100% of the time – there is no margin of error. Whether it is designing a system for a brand new ship or working hand-in-hand with sailors pierside, Ship Integration and Test is there to deliver.’