The US Navy has awarded a contract to General Dynamics (GD) Land Systems to deliver eight Mk46 30mm naval weapon systems for installation onboard the San Antonio-class (LPD 17) landing platform docks and the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) class ships.
Under the $25.7m modification contract, General Dynamics will provide Mk46 MOD 2 gun weapon systems, as well as associated spares and shore based parts.
The company will develop two gun weapon systems for the LPD 17-class and six for LCS gun mission modules designated for the LCS 5 through LCS 7, for close-in surface self-defence capabilities.
General Dynamics Land Systems US Marine Corps and Navy business sector senior vice president Michael Bolon said: "The Mk46 gun system’s open architecture software supports stand-alone and integrated variants for multiple uses and maximum flexibility."
The Mk46 30mm is an all-weather, day/night, fully stabilised weapon system and has been designed for various anti-surface and anti-air defence applications.
Operated locally at the gun turret or from a distance at the remote operating console in the Combat Information Center of LPD 17-class or Mission Control Center in LCS-class, the weapon system enables ships to combat against small, fast, highly manoeuvrable surface craft.
Serving as main deck gun for LPD 17 ships and secondary gun battery for LCS, the weapon features 30mm high-velocity cannon, a forward-looking infrared sensor, a low-light television camera, and a laser rangefinder.
Scheduled to be complete by November 2014, work under the contract will be carried out at General Dynamics Land Systems facilities in Woodbridge, Virginia; Tallahassee, Florida; Lima, Ohio; Westminster, Maryland; Sterling Heights, Michigan; and Scranton, Pennsylvania, US.
The Naval Sea Systems Command will serve as the contracting activity.
Image: USS San Antonio will be fitted with MK46 weapon system. Photo: file image.
