Canada's Irving Shipbuilding selects BAE Systems to provide naval guns for AOPS

[Zarvan]

An artist's concept illustration of Canada's Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ship for the Royal Canadian Navy. BAE Systems has been selected to supply its 25 mm Mk 38 machine gun system for the class of six ships. Source: Canadian Department of National Defence
BAE Systems has been tapped to provide modified machine gun systems for the Royal Canadian Navy's (RCN's) Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS) programme, officials confirmed to IHS Jane's on 19 August.

Canada's Irving Shipbuilding, the prime contractor on the AOPS programme, awarded BAE Systems a contract for delivery of up to six 25 mm Mk 38 machine gun systems - modified for operations in arctic conditions - plus spare parts, technical support, and long-term field support services.

A "full enclosure cupola" is being added to the gun, along with an internal heater to prevent ice build-up in the severe arctic conditions, BAE Systems' Mk 38 programme manager Ben Nies told IHS Jane's . "The system/cupola can be configured for normal operation or for arctic conditions," he added. "Access doors/ports are being provided for normal maintenance/operation and provisions are being provided to allow the crew to replenish ammunition."

Reliability of the baseline Mk 38 gun system design, firing accuracy, and overall performance are not expected to change as a result of the modifications, Nies said.

The first gun is scheduled to deliver in 2017, with subsequent systems delivered one per year thereafter through 2021.

The amount of the contract was not disclosed. BAE Systems is in the process of selecting Canadian subcontractors to supply and build the naval gun systems.

Want to read more? For analysis on this article and access to all our insight content, please enquire about our subscription options ihs.com/contact




To read the full article, Client Login
(241 of 306 words)

Canada's Irving Shipbuilding selects BAE Systems to provide naval guns for AOPS - IHS Jane's 360