"BAE Systems has been selected by the US Navy to maintain and service T-34, T-44 and T-6 trainer aircraft under a contract valued at approximately $400 million over five years," the group said in a statement.

"The company will perform scheduled inspections, along with required repairs, modifications and logistical support, for more than 300 aircraft operated by the Chief of Naval Air Training."

The London-listed company added that the contract was awarded by the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), based at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland.

The US market accounts for about half, or 45 percent, of BAE's total group revenues, making it the biggest foreign supplier of military goods to the Pentagon.

Earlier this year, BAE failed to merge with European aerospace giant EADS after the deal collapsed under the weight of political wrangling and unexpectedly strong opposition from Germany.