BAE Systems receives $7.4M contract for Mk 38 autocannons

Sept. 11 (UPI) -- BAE System Land and Armaments has received a $7.4 million order to a previously awarded contract for inspection and repair services for the Mk 38 Mod 2/3 machine gun system.

The work includes preservation and inspection of the components. The work will be conducting in Louisville, Ky. and is expected to be completed by May 2020.

The Mk 38 is a 25mm autocannon used by the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard for point defense against high-speed surface targets such as speedboats.

It is capable of single shot or fully automatic fire up to 180 rounds per minute and has a maximum effective range of roughly 2500 yards It is self-stabilizing for accuracy while the deploying ship is in motion. The original Mk 38 was manually aimed and stabilized, but the Mod 2 and Mod 3 are remotely operated using a computerized targeting system.

Swarms of small high speed boats are considered a serious threat to larger ships due to their ability to overwhelm defensive systems designed for more conventional long range engagements. Countries like Iran deploy such small boats in large numbers to help counter U.S. superiority in surface warfare vessels.