The U.S. Navy has awarded General Dynamics Bath Iron Works a contract valued at $2.8 billion for the construction of 4 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, with an option for a fifth ship.

“This contract adds four ships to our workload in a fiscally challenging and highly competitive environment, and provides a clearer picture of our near-term future. Continuation of the DDG 51 program provides important work for the men and women of Bath Iron Works and allows us to extend our record of delivering these critical surface combatants to the U.S. Navy,” said Jeff Geiger, President of Bath Iron Works.

The option for the fifth ship, if exercised, would bring the total value of the contract to approximately $3.5 billion.

Geiger said the work of Maine’s congressional delegation was critical in support of the multi-year procurement approach.

“We appreciate the strong support of our senators and representatives, who have been instrumental in educating their colleagues and others about the vital national-security need for a strong naval fleet, and their advocacy on behalf of the shipbuilders of Maine,” Geiger said.

There are currently 2 DDG 51 destroyers in production at Bath Iron Works, Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) – photo - and Thomas Hudner (DDG 116). The shipyard began fabrication on DDG 115 in November 2011, and delivery to the Navy is scheduled for 2016. Fabrication on DDG 116 began in November 2012, and that ship is scheduled to be delivered to the Navy in 2017.

The U.S. Navy also awarded General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems a $31.5 million contract for the performance-based logistics (PBL) support of the Advanced Mission Computers (AMC) in the Navy’s F/A-18 Hornet and AV-8B Harrier aircrafts.

This is the second five-year performance-based logistics contract that General Dynamics has won with the Naval Supply Systems Command.

“We have a long history of providing highly reliable mission computers for the Navy’s airborne programs. Building upon this relationship, we are continuing to streamline logistics support and deliver systems with improved reliability and flexibility through our open architecture model, providing the Navy with enhanced cost savings and strengthened performance capabilities,” said Mike Tweed-Kent, Vice President and General Manager of General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems Mission Integration Systems division.

General Dynamics Bath Iron Works and General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems are business units of General Dynamics.