BATH — Bath Iron Works has been awarded a contract modification worth $59,417,202. The funding will be used to provide engineering and technical assistance for new construction DDG 51 class ships, according to a statement issued Wednesday by Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Angus King, I-Maine.

“This announcement is welcome news for the hardworking men and women of Bath Iron Works who deliver the highest-quality ships to our Navy, and this contract modification will allow them to continue to make important improvements to those ships,” Collins and King said in the joint statement.

The funding will be dedicated towards continuing Lead Yard services, which include liaison for follow ship construction, general class services, class logistic services, class design agent services, continuation of the DDG 51 Class Flight III upgrade design efforts, and class change design services for follow ships.

The upgrade means the installation of an an advance Air and Missile Defense Radar system on the DDG 51-class destroyers, also known as Arleigh Burke. The latest ship of that class to be built at BIW, the Rafael Peralta, underwent sea trials last month. It is the first Arleigh Burke destroyer built at Bath since Congress decided to resume the DDG- 51 program in 2008.

Collins is a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and King is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

In a separate statement, U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree lauded the announcement of a $59.4 million contract modification to BIW.

“I am excited to see the Navy award this funding to Bath Iron Works as part of this contract modification. This is money well spent. It is further proof of the great work done by the men and women at BIW and the Navy’s recognition of that.”

jswinconeck@timesrecord.com