The US navy has awarded BAE Systems (www.baesystems.com) a $51.3 million contract (potentially rising to $68.4 million) for the maintenance and modernisation of the USS Roosevelt.

The destroyer will initially go into a BAE Systems dry dock in Jacksonville, Florida; the work will then be completed at Naval Station Mayport, also in Jacksonville.

David Thomas, vice-president and general manager of BAE Systems Jacksonville Ship Repair, said: “This is a large and complex repair job — one that is vital for the future readiness and effectiveness of the ship.

“Our team is eager to get to work on the Roosevelt, which was commissioned in 2000, and get the ship ready to serve for many years to come.”

BAE Systems operates full-service shipyards in Alabama, California, Florida, Hawaii and Virginia.