The Bofors 40 Mk4 naval gun system is a lightweight multi-purpose naval cannon.[1][2][3][4] It fires programmable Bofors 40 mm 3P all-target ammunition to engage ships, aircraft, anti-ship missiles and shore targets.[4][5][6] It is a modern naval version of the Bofors 40 mm L/70۔ The gun can engage target in less than 0.5 seconds after the warning.[4]
| Bofors 40 Mk4 | |
|---|---|
 Bofors 40 Mk4 naval gun with on-mount TV camera and muzzle velocity radar on board Japanese patrol vessel Shunkō | |
| Type | Naval gun |
| Place of origin | Sweden |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2012–present[1] |
| Used by | See operators |
| Production history | |
| Designer | BAE Systems AB |
| Manufacturer | BAE Systems AB |
| Produced | 2009-present[1] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | Empty: 2,300 kilograms (5,100 lb) |
| Crew | remote controlled with gyro-stabilised local control back-up |
| Shell | 40 × 365 cartridge weight 2.5 kilograms (5.5 lb) shell weight 0.975 kilograms (2.15 lb) |
| Caliber | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Elevation | −20°/+80° |
| Traverse | 360° |
| Rate of fire | 300 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 1,012 m/s (3,320 ft/s) |
| Maximum firing range | 12,500 m (7.8 mi) |
| Feed system | Magazine capacity: 100 ready rounds |
Ammunition edit
Bofors 40 mm 3P all-target programmable ammunition allows six modes including three proximity fuzing modes. This increases the flexibility and effectiveness of the gun system, which has further reduced the reaction time of the gun and it is possible to choose ammunition mode at the moment of firing, giving it the ability to switch rapidly between surface targets, air targets, and ground targets.[7][5][6] Along with the 40 mm 3P, the gun can also fire other Bofors 40 mm L/70 ammunition and has the capability to rapidly switch between ammunition.[8]
Variants edit
Users edit
Current users
Belgium
Brazil
- Brazilian Navy
- Macaé-class patrol vessel: NPa Maracanã (P72)[11]
- Brazilian Navy
Finland
Japan
Netherlands
Sweden
Future users
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f "In focus: the Bofors 40mm Mk 4 gun that will equip the Type 31 frigates". Navy Lookout. 31 December 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ a b "FUZE 3P Ammunition". BAE Systems. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ a b "FUZE 3P Ammunition (pdf)". BAE Systems. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ "40 and 57 mm 3P ammunition". BAE Systems. 2006. Archived from the original on 26 September 2011. Retrieved 22 September 2011. updated page
- ^ a b "BAE Systems 40Mk4 Naval Guns Selected For Belgian And Dutch RMCM Program", Naval News, 2021
- ^ "Finnish Navy completes upgrade of 4th and final Hamina-class FAC". 6 May 2022. Archived from the original on 2022-06-02. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ "Japan Coast Guard New 6,000 Tons Patrol Vessel PLH-41 'Mizuho' Fitted With 40Mk4 Main Gun". Naval News. 22 April 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2024.