WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 (UPI) — Britain’s Ministry of Defense has named BAE Systems the preferred bidder to provide a gun system for new Type 26 Royal Navy frigates.
The gun system is the Maritime Indirect Fires System, comprised of the Mk 45 Mod 4 Naval Gun System, along with an automated Ammunition Handling System, Gun Fire Control System, and qualified ammunition.
The Mk 45 is a 5-inch, 62-caliber weapon used by the U.S. and allied nations. It features an automatic loader with a capacity of 20 rounds and can be fired by full automatic control.
The selection of BAE Systems as preferred bidder for the gun follows the award of a $1.3 billion demonstrator phase contract to the company for building the ship.
“The Mk 45 is at the center of our MIFS solution and will provide the Royal Navy with a low-risk, low-cost, and highly effective automatic weapon system,” said Joe Senftle, vice president and general manager of Weapon Systems at BAE Systems. “It combines the benefits of a mature, reliable, and proven system with the capacity to deliver the full range of ammunition available today and in development.”