The USS Anzio will undergo six months of work at BAE Systems’ shipyard in Norfolk, Virginia, which is its home port.

The contract includes options that could bring the total value of the contract to $53.1 million.

The company will
be undertaking alterations and miscellaneous repairs aboard the 567ft-long Anzio, including the replacement of critical aluminium structures. The work is expected to begin in February and should be completed in August.

BAE Systems’ (www.baesystems.com) Norfolk shipyard is currently undertaking the same long-term modernisation work aboard the USS Vicksburg.

Dave Thomas, vice-president and general manager of BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, said: “As our team wraps up the first stage of modernisation work aboard the Vicksburg, we look forward to the arrival of the Anzio soon afterwards to start its ‘cruiser-mod’ programme.

"Along with other recent ship repair contracts, this provides important work for our shipyard team, particularly for our skilled employees who work with aluminium structures aboard US Navy ships.”

The USS Anzio, which was commissioned in May 1992, is the third East Coast-based guided missile cruiser to undergo the extensive repair and upgrade work under the long-term cruiser modernisation programme.

BAE Systems is a leading provider of ship repair, maintenance, modernisation, conversion and overhaul services for the US Navy, other government agencies, and select commercial customers.

It operates five full-service shipyards — in Alabama, California, Florida, Hawaii, and Virginia.