The U.S. Navy today awarded Bath Iron Works a $1.4 billion contract to build the first next-generation destroyer, a move that should help the Maine yard avoid layoffs as it wraps up work on the current class of ship.

While anticipated, the fact that the award has happened when expected should lessen any gaps in work that development between ending construction of current destroyers and beginning construction on the next class. It is an important milestone in BIW’s transition to the next-generation destroyer.

The first destroyer in the DDG 1000, or Zumwalt, class is scheduled to be delivered to the Navy in 2014. BIW has six ships left to produce in the current DDG 51 class of destroyer, the Arleigh Burke family. Work on BIW’s last Arleigh Burke, DDG 112, began in September of last year; it is scheduled for delivery in August 2011.