BATH – The U.S. Navy Thursday awarded a $464 million contract to Bath Iron Works, a unit of General Dynamics, to build DDG 102, an Arleigh Burke Class destroyer. Bath Iron Works is the lead designer and builder of the DDG 51-class destroyers.

The DDG 102 had previously been awarded to Northrop Grumman Ingalls Shipbuilding, but has now been awarded to Bath Iron Works as part of an expected seven-ship DDG multiyear contract for BIW.

This is part of an exchange of DDGs and LPD amphibious ships between the two shipyards announced by the U.S. Navy on June 17, 2002, to focus efficiencies in both programs and promote shipyard stability with the addition of ships at both yards.

Prior to the award, BIW had a backlog of seven DDG 51-class destroyers. Bath Iron Works employs 6,700 people. It is a subsidiary of General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia. General Dynamics employs approximately 54,000 people worldwide and anticipates 2002 revenues of approximately $14 billion.