BAE Systems awarded MK 38 work
BAE Systems Land & Armaments will supply the MK 38 MOD 3 Machine Gun System (MGS) to the US Navy under a $19 million contract modification announced on 10 June.
The modification covers the MK 38 MOD 3 25mm MGS ordnance alteration and associated spares.
The alteration to the MK 38 MOD 1 25mm MGS provides an upgrade via the addition of two-axis stabilisation, an improved electro-optical sight system, improved multi-function display, modified main control panel, a new main computing unit, a 7.62mm machine gun and remote control operation.
The resulting MK38 MOD 3 provides an advantage because its surveillance system moves separately from the gun system, preventing adversaries from easily knowing they have been detected. It offers a range of 2.5km and selectable rates of fire from single to 180 rounds per minute, and fires all US Navy-approved 25mm ammunition. With the ability to remotely operate the system from the combat information centre, operators can remain out of harm’s way.
Work is expected to be completed by September 2021
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Pentagon claims to have severely damaged Iranian capabilities, promises to increase attacks]()
US Pentagon claims to have severely damaged Iranian capabilities, promises to increase attacks
US military authorities claim to have sunk 20 Iranian vessels and destroyed Tehran’s Air Force, with the Pentagon making plans to send additional assets to the region.
-
![Greece’s newly commissioned FDI frigate deployed to Cyprus]()
Greece’s newly commissioned FDI frigate deployed to Cyprus
The recent naval modernisation efforts by the Hellenic Navy have been bolstered by the acquisition of advanced Naval Group frigates, the first of which was delivered in December 2025 and is now playing a crucial role in the latest Middle East conflict.
-
![US Navy SPY-6 approaches FRP with Raytheon already having “a hot production line”]()
US Navy SPY-6 approaches FRP with Raytheon already having “a hot production line”
Jen Gauthier, Raytheon’s VP of Naval Systems and Sustainment, told Shephard that the company is awaiting the US Navy’s green light to move “fully into full-rate production”.
-
![Ireland releases maritime strategy as it looks to new naval bases and stronger partnerships]()
Ireland releases maritime strategy as it looks to new naval bases and stronger partnerships
Ireland has a maritime area ten times the size of its land mass but has a limited naval capacity and faces an ongoing threat to critical underwater infrastructure. A new strategy is looking to address the challenge.
-
![What capabilities are being tested under AUKUS Pillar II?]()
What capabilities are being tested under AUKUS Pillar II?
Collaboration on AUKUS Pillar II extends beyond the core trilateral agreement, presenting global opportunities for companies with advanced technologies.
