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Good morning John, what do we have here
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We have the Mark 45 5-inch naval gun, which is the lightest, most compact weapon of its caliber
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We have 160 of these systems in service with over 12 navies
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We have three new technologies that we're presenting today. We have an automated handling system
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We have the standard guided projectile and the hyper-velocity projectile, which is going
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to extend the mission set of this weapon and the maximum range well out beyond 100 kilometers
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This new technology that we're introducing to the Mark 45 will completely automate the
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ammunition storeroom. So we have a palletized system here, which can accommodate standard length ballistic
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rounds or the hyper-velocity projectile, as well as extended length ammunition, such as
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the standard guided projectile. All with the complete same design. It is very adaptable to different munitions, as well as different size ships
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For which platform is this specific system intended? The first customer will be the British Royal Navy on their Type 26
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We are in the final design phases, transitioning to production, but this system is extremely
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adaptable to various size ships. Will it be possibly fitted on French Navy Fram frigates, for instance? Absolutely
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In fact, we've integrated Mark 45 onto ships with displacements less than 3,000 tons
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So Fram is more than enough ship to accommodate Mark 45 with the automated handling system
2:03
Have you discussed or briefed the French Navy about Mark 45 yet
2:08
We have talked to the French Navy. We've been requested to provide information with details on the gun, the automated handling
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system, as well as the extended range precision guided munitions. And we've provided that to them as they make their decisions going forward for the Fram
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upgrade program. And with the model here at Sears Space, can you point at the main parts of the system? Sure
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So what we have here is we have two shuttles that move from the storage locations to the
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existing lower hoist. So everything from this point up is completely the same as our users have worldwide
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So there's very few modifications to their existing gun. This is just an addition to automate the magazine
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The rounds are stored in pallets. So for survivability reasons, they are very well protected
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But once they're in those storage locations, a sailor does not touch that ammunition ever again
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And as far as the Type 26 is concerned, what are the main benefits of such a system
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So much lower crewing. You don't have to have sailors dedicated to the gun and loading ammunition and moving
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it from storage locations to the weapon. That process has been completely automated
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That crew can now be allocated to other functions. And then you have the safety issues as well, survivability of the ship, because the ammunition
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is much more protected from potential threats. And what about maybe increasing the firepower or rate of fire, should I say
3:51
Yeah, definitely. So you have a higher rate of fire and you can sustain that rate of fire for a much longer
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period, for the entire duration of the magazine. The magazine can then be rearmed quickly from other ammunition storerooms on the ship
4:07
All right, John, thank you very much. My pleasure
