NORFOLK, Va. — The USS Bulkeley is about to get a few upgrades!
BAE Systems received a $114.5 million contract from the U.S. Navy to perform maintenance and modernization of the guided-missile destroyer.
“Our team has significant experience with the Arleigh Burke class of destroyers and with the Bulkeley in particular,” said Dave Thomas, Vice President and General Manager of BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair. “We look forward to helping the Navy meet its surface combatant demands with the modernization work onboard the Bulkeley and other vessels in the shipyard.”
BAE Systems will perform extensive hull, mechanical, and electrical repairs, and upgrade the combat systems suite aboard the 509.5-foot-long Bulkeley. The Bulkeley is expected to be completed in June 2020.
The plan is to hire 50 to 75 more employees, to join the yard's current wok force of 1,175 workers.
"Predictability and stability, that's what helps us to be able to grow our future workforce as well, to be able to know what our manning needs are, to be able to invest in the workforce," said Dawn Agrisani, BAE's Human Resources Manager.
The 104-year old shipyard intends to be a big player in decades to come, as the Navy grows towards a 355-ship fleet. As the Navy builds them, yards like BAE will need to fix them.
And, they'll need workers to get the job done.
"I would encourage anyone who's interested in opportunities, to log onto our website," said Agrisani
USS Bulkeley is the 34th ship of the Arleigh Burke class, and it was named for Medal of Honor recipient Vice Admiral John Bulkeley. The ship was commissioned in 2001.
The Bulkeley's maintenance period will start within weeks, and, is expected to be completed in June 2020.