Bath Iron Works has been awarded a $59 million contract modification to perform lead yard services for the U.S. Navy's DDG 51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.

Work on the contract will involve engineering and technical assistance for the construction of new vessels. Tasks will include general class services, class logistic services, class design agent services, and the continuation of Class Flight III upgrades.

The contract modification includes options that would boost the contract value to $73 million if exercised. Work will be performed at several locations in Maine, Florida, Colorado, Massachusetts, and is expected to be complete by December 2017.

Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are warships designed for offensive and defensive missions, and can operate independently or as part of strike groups.

The vessels are currently undergoing Flight III upgrades, which the U.S. Navy says will enhance their threat detection and avoidance capabilities with the addition of Air and Missile Defense radars as well as other improvements.