Joanna Crews
General Dynamics has tapped BAE Systems for the supply of additional shipboard gun systems for the U.S. Navy‘s Independence-class littoral combat ship.
BAE Systems said Monday it will commence delivery of two Mk110 naval gun systems for the U.S. Navy by 2019 under a follow-on contract that will run through 2020.
The 57-millimeter deck gun is internationally designated as the Bofors 57Mk3 and is designed to fire up to 220 rounds per minute at air, surface or ground threats from a range of over nine nautical miles.
Mk110 uses BAE Systems’ six-mode programmable, pre-fragmented and proximity-fused ammunition.
The follow-on contract will bring the number of Mk110 guns for the Independence-class LCS to 15.
BAE Systems will provide up to 28 Mk110 for the Navy through contracts and has proposed the gun system for the service branch’s future frigate program.
The U.S. Coast Guard has also selected the naval gun system for its new offshore patrol cutter and will receive 11 units of the weapon under contracts.
The multi-mission, medium-caliber shipboard weapon is currently fielded for the Navy’s LCS and the Coast Guard’s national security cutter.
Eight countries have awarded BAE Systems contracts for the Bofors 57Mk3 with a total of 86 deck guns for delivery globally.
