MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- BAE Systems has won a new U.S. Navy contract to make 62 MK 38 MOD 2 Machine Gun Systems.
The company said in a statement last week it had "received a $36.3 million contract from the U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center for the production and delivery of 62 MK 38 MOD 2 Machine Gun Systems -- MGS. The gun systems will be delivered between July 2008 and June 2009."
"The MK 38 fulfills the critical role of ship self-protection by providing naval vessels with a highly lethal, last layer of defense. The MK 38 is a 25mm, stabilized remote-controlled gun system that has an effective range of more than 2,000 meters -- more than 6,000 feet -- It is highly autonomous, proven against multiple surface threats and is a critical asset in our global war on terrorism," the company said in a statement.
"The performance of the MK 38 brings significantly higher reliability and improved operational availability to the most important team -- our Navy," said Dennis Morris, BAE Systems' president of armament systems.
"BAE Systems has been contracted to deliver a total of 150 MK 38 MOD 2 Machine Gun Systems for installation aboard various U.S. Navy surface combatants and amphibious ships. The proposed program of record calls for a total of 243 systems through FY 2015," the company said.
BAE Systems said the MK 38 was "currently in service on 11 ships and will be installed on selected U.S. Navy ships including CG, DDG, LHA, LHD, LSD, PC, FFG and LPD class ships, as well as several Coast Guard vessels. The main weapon on the MK 38 MOD 2 is the M242 25mm Chain Gun, a proven NATO-standard cannon with selectable rates of fire. The MK 38 fires all USN-approved 25mm ammunition at 180 rounds per minute, with 168 rounds on-mount."
“This system gives our sailors a decisive edge when they’re dealing with small boat threats or other close-encounter dangers,” said Morris.
BAE Systems said it was partnering with RAFAEL Armament Development Authority, to make the MK 38 MOD 2 MGS.
