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			Programmes LAND SYSTEMS AT SEA Land Systems has been producing naval guns and launchers for more than a century and are still at the forefront of naval gun systems and ammunition technology. The company are not only looking at today's requirements, as the 4.5 Mk8 Mod1 naval gun enters service, but are looking to the future as studies on 155mm naval gun and ammunition progress. Weapon platforms include: 4.5 Mk 8 Naval Gun Mod 0 & Mod 1 20mm GAM Naval Gun 4.5 Mk 8 Mod 1 Naval Gun The first six 4.5 Mk 8 Mod 1 medium-calibre naval guns have been delivered (February 2003) and are entering service with the Royal Navy. The Mk 8 Mod 1 is an updated version of the Mk 8 Mod 0 gun mounting in service with the RN since the early 1970s. Land Systems were awarded the contract in 1998 for the full development, production and support of the gun. The contract covers the supply of an initial eight gun systems, with a requirement to update a further 17. An engineering upgrade of the original Mk 8 gun, the new Mod 1 is designed to address reliability and obsolescence problems, particularly those associated with hydraulic controls and servo systems. It also reduces ship-fit impact and introduces a new low-radar cross section gunshield. The update introduces electric drives (in place of hydraulic controls) for all functions except motions on the elevating mass, thus improving safety, allowing for more efficient power consumption and cutting weight by 4 tonnes. Below-decks space requirements are substantially reduced, which will in turn free up compartment space on board ship. Maintenance requirements will be reduced, with a computer-based test and fault-finding system forming part of the upgrade. Electronic technical documentation is introduced, and simplified ship fit demands will allow for replacement within a 12-week Type 23 frigate Docking and Essential Defects period. The Mk 8 Mod 1 will also have the capability to fire new High Explosive Extended Range (HE ER) ammunition as Land Systems is developing the new base bleed HE ER round under a contract awarded in June 1997. 155mm Naval Fire Support In collaboration with DERA and GIAT, Land Systems are involved in a jointly funded study to assess future naval fire-support requirements for the Royal Navy. Work will focus on the potential to develop a 155mm naval gun which could take advantage of standard NATO ammunition and new extended-range guided munitions already in development for land-based 155mm artillery. The study was intended to identify key enabling technologies, risk-reduction and the most affordable approaches to future naval fire support. A key driver for the programme is to examine the feasibility of using standard 155mm modular charge ammunition in a naval environment. This would provide commonality with land-based ammunition stocks, thereby leveraging existing development efforts and driving down cost. However, the development of charge-handling technology able to achieve an adequate rate of fire (in the order of 20rds/min) is seen as a major challenge. Current naval gun systems use single-piece cartridges with less complex handling requirements. A range in the order of 100km is sought. However, it is acknowledged that a baseline system might enter service with ammunition offering a range of 60-70km, with a full capability to be realised at a later date. The RN aspires to introduce a new 155mm gun to service as part of the incremental acquisition plan for the new Type 45 destroyer. Although the first three Type 45s will enter service with the existing Mk 8 Mod 1 gun, space and weight margins in the design will provide for a successor 155mm system to be fitted in subsequent ships and retrofitted to those vessels initially deploying with the Mk 8 Mod 1. Land Systems Sales Department Building 20A-1 South Mead Rd Filton, Bristol BS34 7RP UK Tel: +44(0)117 317 3700 4.5 Mk 8 Naval Gun    Back to Top