Italian Navy Tests Vulcano Smart Ammo Kit

Mar 25, 2014 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: Oto-Melara; issued March 6, 2014)

Firing Trials of 127/54 Compact with Vulcano Kit

On 6 March 2014, the Italian Navy carried out a number of firing trials on board the frigate Bersagliere to test the 127/54 C gun equipped with Vulcano-Kit (V-kit).

The firing trials, conducted with 127 Vulcano BER (Ballistic Extended-Range) ammunition, proved to be successful, with projectiles achieving a range of over 38 km. The field of fire was limited to 40 km for security reasons.

The Vulcano BER ammunition used in the firing trials are part of a pre-production lot; the production-line qualification is underway on a first pilot lot of ammunition.

It is the first time a military ship, not equipped with the naval gun systems used in the Second World War, has reached such ballistic ranges.

Vulcan BER ammunition provide very accurate and high precision firing actions at ranges beyond 60 km.

OTO Melara is therefore ready to supply the new Vulcano ammunition to the Navies employing the new 127/64 LW weapon system and those employing the previous version 127/54 C naval gun with the V-kit upgrade.

The Vulcano guided ammunition family is being successfully developed in the versions 127GLR (Guided Long Range) and GLR-SAL (Semi Active Laser), which will be available on board ships for firing trials starting from next year.

OTO Melara confirms its technological leadership in the naval artillery and extended range precision ammunition fields; at present it is the only company that can truly state to be able to satisfy the requirements of all the Navies that have in service OTO Melara naval guns which want to deliver effective and accurate Fire Naval Support at a range of 35 km up to over 100 km.