BAE to modernize guided-missile cruiser USS Vicksburg

Feb. 16 (UPI) -- BAE Systems received a $42.9 million contract to perform repair and modernization services for the U.S. Navy's USS Vicksburg.

Under the contract, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser will undergo sepcial selected restricted availability, or SSRA. The work will consist of ship alternations and repairs in addition to modernization efforts.

BAE Systems' agreement with the Navy includes 92 base items and 7 options with the potential to raise the contract value to $45.9 million.

The U.S. Department of Defense says the work will be performed in Norfolk, Va., and expects it to be complete by September 2017.

BAE Systems received all funding for the project at the time of the contract award, with $32 million set to expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center in Virginia is listed as the contracting activity.

USS Vicksburg has been in service with the Navy since 1992, and has participated in various military exercises. Navy officials initially planned to retire the vessel alongside eight other Ticonderoga-class cruisers in fiscal 2013.