BAE Systems has received a $26 million contract to equip the U.S. Navy’s Constellation class frigates with the fully-automatic 57-mm Mk110 naval gun.
The contract, awarded earlier this month, includes engineering support and calls for two Mk110s for the USS Constellation (FFG-62) and USS Congress (FFG-63). The new Constellation class of multi-mission guided-missile frigates is designed to operate in blue water and in the littorals, for an increased forward naval presence.
The Mk110 gun system, known internationally as the Bofors 57 Mk3, is the deck gun of choice for the Constellation class. It is a multi-mission, medium-caliber shipboard weapon, effective against air, surface, or ground threats without requiring multiple round types. The system is capable of firing up to 220 rounds per minute at an effective range of more than nine nautical miles using BAE Systems’ six-mode Programmable, Pre-fragmented, and Proximity-fused (3P) ammunition.
«The selection of the Mk110 for the U.S. Navy’s Constellation class frigates signifies confidence in the gun system and its ability to meet current and future needs in shipboard defense», said Brent Butcher, vice president of the weapon systems product line at BAE Systems «The Mk110 gun system provides this next-generation frigate with the continued performance that our surface fleet has come to expect from its intermediate caliber guns».
This contract also includes providing a Mk110 system to the U.S. Coast Guard’s third Argus Class Offshore Patrol Cutter, USCGC Ingham. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2023 under the contract with Naval Sea Systems Command Integrated Warfare Systems 3C (NAVSEA IWS).
The 57-mm Mk110 is currently in service on the Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship and the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Security Cutter. To date, BAE Systems is providing 39 Mk110 guns to the Navy and 15 to the Coast Guard. Worldwide, 103 Mk110/57 Mk3 naval gun systems are under contract with nine nations.
Specifications
| Rate of fire | 220 rounds/min |
| Maximum range | >9 NM/10.36 miles/16.67 km |
| Ammunition capacity in gun | 120 rounds |
| Time for loading rounds | 3-5 minutes |
| Firing dispersion in remote control | |
| Training (sigma-value) | 0.4 mrad |
| Elevation (sigma-value) | 0.4 mrad |
| Elevation | −10° to +77° |
| Train | Unlimited |
| Maximum elevating speed | 44°/sec |
| Maximum elevating acceleration | 115°/sec2 |
| Maximum train speed | 57°/sec |
| Maximum train acceleration | 115°/sec2 |
| Power supply | 440-VAC |
| 60-Hz 3-phase | |
| Weight, complete without ammunition | 14,960 lbs./6,800 kg |
| Life of air-cooled barrel | >4,000 rounds |