Dynamically Targeted 5-Inch Munition Being Developed by BAE

By RICHARD R. BURGESS, Managing Editor

With its own funds, BAE Armament Systems is developing a precision-guided munition for the Navy’s 5-inch guns that can be dynamically targeted after firing.
Leveraging its development of the 155mm LRLAP munition for the Advanced Gun System, BAE is designing a precision-guided munition for the Mk45 Mod 4 guns that are standard armament on the more recent Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers that are receiving the Cruiser Modification upgrades.

The munition is intended to fill the gap left with the March 2008 cancellation of the Extended-Range Guided Munition program because of technical development problems.

BAE, teamed with Lockheed Martin, is looking at incorporating an existing data link in the round that can receive target position updates after firing.

BAE expects to conduct a flight test of an unguided round this summer.