BAE Systems Conducts Factory Acceptance Testing of Guns for Halifax-Class Upgrade

Jun 5 2011 David Pugliese Defence Watch

From BAE:

Karlskoga, Sweden - BAE Systems has conducted factory acceptance testing of the first of 14 57mm MkIII naval guns for the Department of National Defense (DND) in support of the Canadian Navy’s upgrade of the Halifax class frigate.

The 57 MkIII serves as the main gun for this ship class and the ongoing upgrade program will deliver much-increased versatility against an ever-widening range of threats. 

Tomas Erlandsson, director integrated systems for BAE Systems Weapons in Karlskog says: “The upgrade from 57 Mk2 to 57 MkIII makes these guns as capable as our highly-advanced 57 Mk3, including the ability to fire the sophisticated 6-mode programmable 3P ammunition. This program, together with the recent contract to build the 57 Mk3 for the US Navy Littoral Combat Ship program, results in a stable foundation for naval gun production.”

BAE Systems’ Weapons business developed a tailored engineering package taking into account the varying condition of each of the guns, originally delivered more than two decades ago.  The sustainment program is scheduled to run through 2016 and includes subsystem upgrades.

During 2003-2005, BAE Systems assessed the feasibility of taking the older variant through a targeted conversion process as a means of modernizing the gun and managing obsolescence. The result will deliver the latest capability in less time and at significantly reduced cost compared with acquiring new guns.  Furthermore, with the many subsystem enhancements “under the hood,” the 20-30 year-old guns will receive another 15 years of operation.

“This tailored approach to upgrading an installed base of 57mm guns gives our customers a range of options as they seek to prolong the life and extend the relevance of their existing fleets,” states Mike Smith, managing director BAE Systems Weapons. “Whenever I make a personal technology purchase, I always worry about being able to leap forward to the next big thing without having to buy new.  With this development, we have essentially removed such risk from the customer.

“Our naval guns, while highly advanced, are designed with adaptability in mind.  They are built for long-term deployment in demanding environments. That’s a good thing.  However, threats change more rapidly today than in perhaps any other period in history. The Canadian program is an excellent example of BAE Systems’ through-life commitment to its customers around the world,” Smith adds.

The contract includes Industrial Regional Benefit (IRB) commitments which will include co-operation with Canadian industry on manufacture of the 3P round.

The 6-mode programmable 3P (Prefragmented, Programmable, Proximity fuzed) ammunition provides Bofors naval guns with the flexibility to deal with threats that previously were impossible to engage.The following modes can be selected:

- Gated proximity mode (air defence).

· Gated proximity mode with impact priority (air defence, large targets).

· Time mode (small fast, manoeuvring surface targets and concealed on-shore targets).

· Impact mode (surface targets).

· Armour piercing mode (armoured surface targets).

· Proximity mode (default mode).