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The US Navy has awarded BAE Systems more than US$70 million (AU$111.75 million) to upgrade Mk 45 five-inch naval gun systems across the US surface fleet.
Under this contract, BAE Systems will upgrade and overhaul existing systems to the Mk 45 Mod 4 configuration.
On 30 September, BAE Systems received a US$23.5 million (AU$37.5 million) modification to a US$47 million (AU$75 million) contract awarded in late July, bringing the total value to over US$70 million (AU$111.75 million).
The Mk 45 Mod 4 upgrade includes a 62-calibre barrel and a mechanically strengthened gun mount. It also features a fully digital control system that seamlessly integrates targeting and fire control data.
These enhancements enable the use of modernised munitions with 50 per cent greater firing energy and prepare the system for future precision-guided munitions with unprecedented range capabilities.
Brent Butcher, vice president of weapon systems at BAE Systems, said, “Events in the Red Sea this year have highlighted the importance of firepower aboard US Navy ships. With the latest Mk 45 gun system configuration, the men and women of the Navy have the capabilities they need to safeguard themselves at sea. We remain committed to delivering cutting-edge naval gun technology, including advanced munitions, to US sailors and their allies.”
Upgrading and overhauling the Mk 45 is a cost-effective way to ensure US Navy sailors maintain modern long-range strike and air defence capabilities. These upgrades maximise the performance of a robust inventory of advanced five-inch projectiles that can be easily replenished at sea.
By upgrading existing systems, sailors benefit from the latest innovative technology that supports advanced munitions and future mission requirements, all at a lower cost than acquiring a new gun system.
Work on the contract will be carried out at the BAE Systems production facility in Louisville, Kentucky, and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2028.
