Maine-based BIW was awarded a $20.7 million contract modification from the Navy for lead yard support services. The modified deal extends BIW's contract with the Navy until June 2009.

BIW, a surface combatant ship designer and construction company, will continued to provide program management, engineering and design services in support of the DDG 51 Arleigh program.

"Work associated with the DDG modernization program, which will reduce operating costs by reducing the crew size on a DDG through system automation, will also continue under this contract modification," the release said.

BIW is also currently under contract from the Navy for five DDG 51 Arleigh Burke-class Aegis destroyers expected for delivery by 2011.