BAE Systems has won a defence contract with the Australian Government to upgrade existing Mk 45 Mod 2 naval gun systems on Anzac class frigates with a Common Control System (CCS).
The project aims to eliminate obsolescence issues and extend the life of the gun system.
The CCS upgrade replaces electronics on earlier Mk 45 Mod 1 and Mod 2 gun systems to be compatible with the Mk 45 Mod 4, the latest configuration used by the US Navy.
The upgrade will also enable the Mk 45s to integrate future extended-range precision-guided munitions, such as the hypervelocity projectile.
“The Common Control System upgrade is the most cost-effective way to extend the life of Mk 45 gun systems, enabling them to provide critical ship naval fires and creating a configuration that allows for the integration of future precision-guided munitions,” said Brent Butcher, vice president of weapon systems at BAE Systems.
“We are committed to modernizing and equipping allied nations with enhanced Mk 45 gun systems to address current and future threats.”
The CCS upgrade is intended to ensure that Mk 45 gun systems remain supportable for decades to come and set to integrate the latest, most innovative technology features to support advanced munitions and future mission capabilities for a significant lower cost than a new gun.
Work on the upgrade will be performed at BAE Systems’ production facility in Louisville, Kentucky, with the first delivery planned in early 2026.
