WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Defense contractor BAE Systems has won a $47.2 million contract for the US guided missile cruiser Cowpens to modernize the ship's military and technical capabilities, the US Department of Defense said in an announcement.
“BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair, San Diego, California, was awarded a $47.28 million… contract for USS Cowpens… [to] update and improve the ship's military and technical capabilities,” the announcement stated on Wednesday.
The Cowpens is the US Navy's 17th Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser. The ship is a multi-mission surface combatant capable of supporting aircraft carrier battle groups, amphibious forces and carrying out independent operations.
The primary roles of Cowpens and other Ticonderoga-class cruisers are anti-air defense and missile strike warfare.
