Miles Jamison
BAE Systems has received a contract worth over $70 million in total from the U.S. Navy for the upgrade of the Mk 45 5-inch naval gun systems and ancillary equipment.
The company said Monday the initial contract, valued at $47 million, was awarded in July 2024 while the modification to the contract, received on Sept. 30, is worth an additional $23.5 million.
Mk 45 Naval Gun Systems Upgrade
According to the deal, BAE Systems will upgrade and overhaul current systems and transition them into the Mk 45 Mod 4 configuration. The company will provide a 62-caliber barrel and a mechanically strengthened gun mount along with a digital control system for integrating targeting and fire control data.
The upgrades are intended to enhance the firing energy of munitions by 50 percent and to meet the requirements of future precision-guided weapons with extended ranges. The contract also aims to provide the Navy with modern long-range strike and air defense capabilities. This approach enables them to maximize the use of a deep magazine of advanced 5-inch projectiles that can be replenished at sea.
BAE Systems will conduct work at its facility in Louisville, Kentucky. It is expected to complete the project by the end of 2028.
“Equipped with the latest configuration of the Mk45 gun system, the men and women in the Navy have the capabilities to protect themselves at sea,” said Brent Butcher, vice president of weapon systems at BAE Systems. “We continue our commitment to providing the latest naval gun technology, including advanced munitions, to U.S. Sailors and their allies.”
