BAE Systems recently received a $26 million contract to deliver automatic 57mm Mk 110 naval guns for the US Navy’s Constellation-class frigates.
The contract from early October includes engineering support and calls for the delivery of two Mk 110s for the USS Constellation (FFG 62) and USS Congress (FFG 63).
The new Constellation-class will be based on Fincantieri’s FREMM frigate design, which is in service with the navies of France and Italy. They will have multi-mission capability to conduct air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, electronic warfare, and information operations. Specifically, FFG(X) will include an enterprise air surveillance radar (EASR) radar, baseline ten (BL10) AEGIS combat system, a Mk 41 vertical launch system (VLS), communications systems, MK 57 gun weapon system (GWS) countermeasures and added capability in the EW/IO area with design flexibility for future growth. The first ship is expected to be delivered by Marinette Marine Corporation (MMC) of Marinette, Wisconsin by 2026.
The Mk 110 gun system, known internationally as the Bofors 57 Mk 3, is the deck gun of choice for the Constellation class. The medium-caliber shipboard weapon is effective against air, surface, or ground threats without requiring multiple round types. The system is capable of firing up to 220 rounds per minute at a range of more than nine nautical miles with the company’s proprietary six-mode programmable, pre-fragmented, and proximity-fused (3P) ammunition.
“The selection of the Mk 110 for the US Navy’s Constellation-class frigates signifies confidence in the gun system and its ability to meet current and future needs in shipboard defense,” said Brent Butcher, vice president of the weapon systems product line at BAE Systems.
This contract also includes providing a Mk 110 system to the US Coast Guard’s third Argus-class offshore patrol cutter, USCGC Ingham. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2023 under the contract with Naval Sea Systems Command Integrated Warfare Systems 3C (NAVSEA IWS).
The 57mm Mk 110 is currently also in service on the Navy’s littoral combat ship and the US Coast Guard’s national security cutter.
