Australia’s Redback infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) will be fitted with the Mk44 Stretch Bushmaster Chain Gun.
A total of 129 Northrop Grumman guns will be supplied for the integration, starting in 2026.
The integration will enable interoperability with Northrop’s advanced ammunition suite, offering a range of munitions to defeat a variety of ground and aerial threats.
Developed for the US Army, the ammunition suite includes the programmable air burst munition, armor piercing and proximity fused ammunition.
‘Most Advanced Medium Caliber Capability’
“Bushmaster Chain Guns are the automatic cannon of choice for customers around the world due to their performance and reliability,” director of Bushmaster Chain Guns at Northrop Grumman Jennifer Zonneveld said.
“In partnership with the Hanwha-led Team Redback, Northrop Grumman is providing the Australian Army with the most advanced medium caliber capability in the world, maintaining the system’s relevancy for years to come.”
LAND 400 Phase 3 Program
The contract is part of Australia’s LAND 400 Phase 3 program, under which 129 Redback IFVs were bought from Hanwha Defense Australia for 4 billion Australian dollars ($2.66 billion).
Delivery is expected from early 2027 to late 2028.
In a related development, Elbit Systems was contracted in February to supply a sensor suite and advanced protection and fighting capabilities for the IFV for $600 million.
A total of 450 IFVs are expected to be acquired as a replacement for Australia’s M113 armored personnel carriers, in service since the mid-1960s.