BAE to upgrade more Mk 45 naval guns
BAE Systems has been awarded a $50 million contract option by the US Navy to upgrade four additional Mk 45 naval guns on its guided missile destroyers, the company announced on 27 September.
The upgrade will bring the guns up to the Mod 4 configuration with a completely digitised control system and a mechanically strengthened gun mount.
The stronger mount allows the gun to achieve 50 percent higher firing energy, and the new digital control system provides significantly more computing power. These enhancements enable improved integration of targeting and fire control data, such as GPS.
The option has been exercised under a 2015 contract and brings the value of the contract to $130 million for a total of ten modernised gun systems.
The first upgraded gun is scheduled to be delivered in late 2017, with the last delivery scheduled for 2020.
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