The British Ministry of Defense awarded the BAE-QinetiQ joint partnership a more than $7.3 million contract for the development of a 155mm heavy gun. Officials say the next-generation heavy gun on the Daring-class warships is an effort to enhance the Royal Navy's ability to support land-based operations with increased firepower from the sea.

The BAE and QinetiQ team has already developed a prototype of the new heavy gun based on the Royal Navy's current Howitzer weapon. Officials say the new gun will be capable of firing heavier shells. Firing trials are expected to take place in 2009.

"We're looking at the possibility of going from the existing naval 114mm gun to a 155mm, because there are potentially many advantages," Nick Overfield, British Technology and Innovation Center maritime integrated technology team leader, said in a statement.

"They include much greater range, hugely increased effects on the target and our ability to use the same ammunition as the army."