Lithuania orders MK44 Bushmaster Chain Guns
Orbital ATK will supply its MK44 Bushmaster chain gun for the Lithuanian Army's new Vilkas 8x8 infantry fighting vehicles, the company announced on 16 March.
The company will supply 90 Bushmaster cannons for integration with Rafael's Samson MKII Remote Weapons Station. The cannon's increased firepower, coupled with the weapon station's low-silhouette and ability to reload under armour inside the hull, will provide enhanced crew survivability and effectiveness.
The gun system supports the use of Orbital ATK's 30mm MK310 Programmable Air Bursting Munition for precise, point-in-space burst to defeat enemy targets in defilade positions.
First deliveries of the first guns will take place mid-2017.
Dan Olson, vice president and general manager for the armament systems division of Orbital ATK's Defense Systems Group, said: 'With an installed base approaching 2,000 cannons worldwide, our MK44 is sought after for its proven reliability and effectiveness by our allies fielding new systems or needing to upgrade existing platforms to meet growing threats.
'Our guns represent a commitment to working together with our nation and our allies to create and deliver superior armaments and services for those who defend their nation's security.'
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
Israel’s Elbit Systems riding high and reports almost a billion dollars in orders to close 2024
Elbit Systems has signed another US$967 million in orders in the past three months after reporting its land revenues increased by 24% for 3Q2024 compared to 3Q 2023 thanks to increasing ammunition and munition sales in Israel.
-
Italy signs $784 million deal for tactical and logistic trucks
The contract is for the supply of a variety of military logistic platforms equipped with tactical cabins and based on the new range of IDV SMR6 trucks (Standard Military Range), which includes 4×4, 8×8 and 10x10 variants.
-
Poland declares capability for Wisła medium-range air defence system
Poland has been investing heavily in new defence equipment, including billions-of-dollars in air defence systems such as Narew and Wisła to provide multi-tier coverage, as well as in C2 systems such as IBCS.
-
US sanctions fail to rattle India as it looks to Russian long-range radar
India has been navigating a strategic balancing act in its defence modernisation efforts as it considers deals with Russia and the US.
-
Land Warfare Preview 2025: Questions remain in a time of change
The land war in Ukraine has dominated the posture, spending and actions of Russia and NATO countries for two years. With a new US Government committed to ending the conflict early in 2025, there are implications on all three of those fronts.