By Johnny Franks, Warrior Editorial Fellow
The modern development of the United States Navy’s deck-mounted gun systems, like the BAE-Systems Mk 45 5-inch gun, highlights a significant leap in naval warfare technology. Recent technological advancements have led to heightened precision, expanded coverage, and an augmented rate of fire. Such advancements are quintessential for the Navy’s strategic paradigm of ‘distributed lethality,’ which aims to disperse combative capabilities over a broader spectrum, thereby complicating adversarial targeting mechanisms and substantially elevating the Navy’s overall martial efficacy.
Historically, the Mk 45 guns, pivotal in the Navy’s arsenal since the 1970s, were constrained by their effective range (approximately 13 to 15 miles) and the precision of the munitions employed, often necessitating multiple rounds for assured target neutralization. The ongoing modernization, most of which continues to involve a US Navy-BAE Systems collaborative partnership, encompasses a structural reinforcement of the gun mount and the integration of cutting-edge electronics, cumulatively enhancing the firing energy by 50%. This upscaling facilitates a significant increase in projectile velocity and range. Another aspect of these enhancements is the incorporation of a digitized control system with an advanced computational capacity and touch-screen interface – a substantial modernization of the system. This transition to a digital framework could be instrumental in augmenting the operational efficacy and precision of the Mk 45.
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In parallel, the Navy’s exploration into the utilization of long-range, hypervelocity projectiles, originally conceptualized for the Electromagnetic Rail Gun, is noteworthy. These projectiles, capable of reaching faster speeds than conventional munitions, promise expeditious target engagement and a substantial bolstering of defensive capabilities against a myriad of threats, including but not limited to enemy drones, helicopters, and missiles.
BAE Systems has been working with the Navy the mature Mk45 technology, some of which goes back to previous service efforts on a “rail gun,” however the firm has ventured beyond these previous efforts to migrate the HVP from its previous applications to deck-mounted Navy Mk45 5-inch guns. BAE Systems weapons developers explained that integrating the HVP into 5-Inch guns adds precision, range and maneuverability; as is often the case with industry research & development, major industry partners often invest internal funds to develop and prepare technologies well suited to meet Navy needs, solve a problem or “close” a capability gap.
“We’ve been modernizing the Mk45 for many years, and the most recent development is the application of the Hyper-velocity projectile (HVP). We want to answer Navy’s challenges in what is a trifecta. …increased lethality, increased capacity of that lethal capability and affordability. If you see recent events in the Red Sea, Secretary of the Navy and other senior Navy leaders have been talking with concern about the cost-exchange” of shooting down a single target with a $2.1 million SM-2″ Tate Westrook, Director of Business Development for BAE Systems, Navy Guns & Surface Ship Missiles, told Warrior at the 2024 Surface Navy Association Symposium.
Westbrook explained that the HVP can also incorporate advanced sensing and electronics sufficient to massively improve precision.
Moreover, the consideration of the ‘Vulcano’ round, a collaborative endeavor between BAE Systems and Leonardo, further epitomizes this technological renaissance. The Vulcano round, incorporating GPS precision guidance and inertial measurement unit technology, has the potential to triple the Mk 45’s range. The integration of semi-active laser technology and programmable fuses, coupled with an infrared terminal seeker, markedly enhances its precision targeting capabilities.
The recent upgrades to deck-mounted weaponry represent a tactical evolution in response to a spectrum of maritime threats. Such threats include asymmetrical challenges posed by Houthi forces in the Red Sea and piracy in international waters, as well as the burgeoning threat of drone swarms in potential great power conflicts. The introduction of advanced munitions, such as hypervelocity and Vulcano projectiles, significantly elevates the Navy’s capability for maritime interdiction, allowing for accurate engagement of small, agile targets while minimizing collateral damage. These enhancements also improve the effectiveness of coastal bombardment, supporting amphibious operations and land forces with greater accuracy. Furthermore, the enhanced Mk 45 guns are instrumental in countering the novel threat of aerial drone swarms, offering a rapid and precise defense mechanism. This comprehensive upgrade to the Navy’s deck-mounted guns ensures a versatile and potent response to a range of modern maritime security challenges, thereby maintaining the Navy’s dominance in diverse and dynamically evolving operational environments.
— Kris Osborn, President of Warrior Maven, contributed to this story
Johnny Franks holds an MA in U.S. Foreign Policy & National Security from American University and a BA in Diplomacy & World Affairs from Occidental College. With a specific interest in geopolitical security and military technology, Johnny has primarily focused his research and analysis on the Russia-Ukraine conflict from 2014 onwards. . As part of his MA coursework, Johnny contributed to developing an Arctic defense strategy in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense.
