BAE Systems has begun installing the Mk 45 naval gun system on HMS Glasgow, the first Type 26 of the eight frigates the Royal Navy has commissioned.
Upgrading the ammunition management systems, British BAE Systems will combine Mk 45 guns with the Ammunition Handling System (AHS).
With both technologies integrated, the Type 26 frigates will have the five-inch 62-caliber Mk 45 Mod 4A naval gun, with AHS continuous supplies of ammunition.
The Mk 45 gun system, a lighter and easier-to-maintain replacement for the Mk 42 5-inch/54 caliber gun, is designed for surface and air targets.
Its fully automated AHS reloads the Mk 45 gun in any sea conditions, enhancing sailor crews’ safety and ensuring reliable reloading.
“Integrating the Mk 45 AHS onto HMS Glasgow lays a crucial foundation for firepower and ammunition readiness for the Royal Navy’s Type 26 frigates,” said BAE Systems VP of weapon systems Brent Butcher.
“This installation ensures the Royal Navy’s most advanced frigates are equipped with cutting-edge capabilities,” he explained.
In February 2023, the UK Royal Navy contracted BAE Systems for $219 million to equip the next batch of Type 26 frigates with the Mk 45 and AHS.
In January, the Australian Navy selected the same technology for its Hunter Class frigates, also based on the Type 26 design, for a $255 million contract.