US Navy orders Mk 46 Gun Weapon Systems
The US Navy announced on 5 June 2019 that it had awarded a contract worth $25.5 million to General Dynamics Land Systems for six Mk 46 MOD 2 Gun Weapon Systems (GWS).
These are intended for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and Landing Platform Dock (LPD) programmes.
The Mk 46 GWS is a remotely operated turret consisting of a 30mm chain gun (the Mk44 Bushmaster II), a forward looking infrared sensor, a low light television camera, and a laser rangefinder. The gun can fire 200 rounds per minute, using either full-calibre high-explosive or armour-piercing ammunition, and has an effective range of 2km.
Two of the Mk 46 GWS are intended for the LCS Surface Warfare Mission module, and four for the LPD programme, with two being assigned to the LPD-29, and two to the LPD-30.
Work is expected to be complete by September 2021.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Russian vessels exercise in English Channel and off Irish coast]()
Russian vessels exercise in English Channel and off Irish coast
One of the vessels present in both cases was armed with hypersonic cruise missiles.
-
![Australia narrows SEA 3000 frigate designs to TKMS and MHI]()
Australia narrows SEA 3000 frigate designs to TKMS and MHI
Two modular frigate designs will be considered as the replacement to Australia’s ageing Anzac-class.
-
![Latest Arleigh Burke destroyer commissioned]()
Latest Arleigh Burke destroyer commissioned
The vessel, DDG 122, will be named after enlisted marine John Basilone.
-
![Kongsberg awarded $960 million missile contract]()
Kongsberg awarded $960 million missile contract
The contract could rise to as much as US$1.1 billion and follows an announcement last month that Kongsberg was building a missile production facility in the US to meet burgeoning global demand.
-
![New US Navy batteries are deemed submarine-safe]()
New US Navy batteries are deemed submarine-safe
The use of Passive Propagation Technology significantly reduces the risk of Lithium-ion batteries for use in torpedo tube launched AUVs.
-
![BAE Systems’ Herne XLAUV set to hunt for underwater intelligence]()
BAE Systems’ Herne XLAUV set to hunt for underwater intelligence
The Herne is modular, highly configurable underwater autonomous platform, with potential for both ISR missions in the short term and self-determined assistance surveillance later.
