June 26 (UPI) — The U.S. Navy awarded a contract to General Dynamics to buy 19 M61A2 Gatling-style gun systems to be outfitted on aircraft.
The firm-fixed-price contract for the 20mm guns, which have a fire rate of up to 6,000 shots per minute, will cost $9.7 million, according to the Department of Defense. The guns will be outfitted onto F/A-18E and F/A-18F fighter aircraft.
Work on the contract will take place in more than 10 locations across the United States and Canada. The Defense Department expects work to finish in May 2021.
The M61A2 heavy-barrel guns weigh 228 pounds and have a 3,200-pound recoil force when firing 6,000 shots per minute, according to General Dynamics.
The Navy used fiscal 2016 and 2017 aircraft procurement funds to obligate the full $9.7 million at the time of the award.
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