The Navy's new deck gun with a long name – and even longer-range performance
The Royal Navy's new Type 26 frigates, including HMS Glasgow and HMS Cardiff, are being equipped with a new deck gun that's both big and powerful.
The Mk45 Mod 4A Medium Calibre Gun is a variant of a 5-inch US Navy gun and looks set to up the game for Britain's next-generation submarine-hunters.
While the 4.5-inch Mk8 gun on existing Royal Navy frigates and destroyers has done the Senior Service proud, the Mk45 is bigger and better.
The new gun increases the firing range from 27 to 37 kilometres – a huge leap in delivering lethality at distance – and it will also take on new threats to shipping.
It can engage and eliminate aerial drones as well as enemy positions ashore, and be accurately brought to bear against fast-moving inshore attack craft.
BAE Systems says it will also be fully automated and safer, as well as being more reliable and accurate.
It's also interoperable with Britain's closest Nato allies.
Once operational, it will be capable of firing shells at speeds up to three times the speed of sound.
The first stage of the 5-inch (127mm) 62-calibre weapon has already been fitted to the forecastle of HMS Glasgow – the lead ship of the new Type 26 City-class frigates.
When up and running it will also have an automatic handling system, like that found on the US Navy's futuristic Zumwalt-class destroyers, but designed specifically for the Type 26s.
That means sailors will no longer need to manually supply the gun with fresh shells, like with the old 4.5-inch weapon.
Instead, shells can be automatically transferred from the deep magazine to constantly refill the 20-round ready-to-use magazine that feeds the weapon.
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