A prototype heavy gun for assessment for use on Royal Navy warships

MOD invests in big guns

In a £5.6 million contract, Defence Technology Innovation Centre (DTIC), BAE Systems and QinetiQ are working together to consider a prototype heavy gun for assessment for use on Royal Navy warships.

The proposed prototype is based on the 155mm Howitzers already deployed by the British Army but with a much longer barrel. It will fire shells that are twice as heavy as those fired by the Navy's current 1960s vintage 4.5in (114mm) calibre guns.

The commonality with the land-based systems has potential for significant cost and performance benefits. The new 155mm (6.1in) shells aim to deliver a 50% improvement on the range of the Navy's existing 4.5in shells, making the shells four times as effective on targets. The Navy's Type 45 Daring class destroyers could carry a 155mm gun as an upgrade to their firepower.

Trials are scheduled to take place on an MOD range next year.

DTIC Maritime Integrated Technology Team Leader, Nick Overfield, said: "We're looking at the possibility of going from the existing naval 4.5in gun to a 155mm because there are potentially many advantages. They include much greater range, hugely increased effects on the target and our ability to use the same ammunition as the Army."

"We've made some exciting steps forward and will get to see the gun fire next year. If successful it gives us the option to proceed further towards manufacture and fit."

The new gun is one of eight projects in a three-year Maritime Surface Effects research programme, which examines a number of modern naval issues, including offensive and defensive surface warfare, coastal suppression and naval fire support as well as the role of unmanned surface vehicles.