30mm DS30M Mark 2 Automated Small Calibre Gun

The DS30M Mark 2 system consists of a 30mm Mark 44 Bushmaster II[1] on a fully automated mount or via manual control[2] with an off-mount electro-optical director (EOD).[2] The gun and the EOD can be controlled from a remote operator console elsewhere on the ship. The weapon is a gyro-stabilized, electrically operated, self-contained, single cannon mount featuring a choice of weapon, control mode and sights. It has low magnetic, radar and Infrared signatures with good availability, reliability and maintainability (ARM).[1] In theory, the dual feed system of the Bushmaster series allows the operator to select different types of ammunition for use against a variety of targets.

In August 2005, the Maritime Gunnery and Missile Systems Integrated Project Team in the UK Ministry of Defence awarded MSI-Defence Systems (part of MS International PLC) a contract to supply a total of 26 Automated Small Calibre Guns (ASCG) systems for retrofit to the Royal Navy's (RN) 13 Type 23 frigates as part of their littoral Defensive Anti-Surface Warfare upgrade,[2] in a contract was worth more than £15 million (US$30.7 million).[2] The system was bought after Fleet Command and the UK Ministry of Defence's (MoD's) Directorate Equipment Capability identified a gap in capability in the RN's ability to defend itself against swarming fast attack craft threats.[2]

MSI undertook land-based trials at Eskmeals Firing Range in Cumbria.[2] In mid-2007 MSI delivered the first two mountings, which were installed on HMS Somerset in August 2007, and used in sea trials on gun ranges in the English Channel starting in October 2007.[2]

In 2008, the management consultancy company CORDA (part of BAE Systems) was awarded a £300,000 research contract by the UK MoD's Defence Technology and Innovation Centre to assess the level of protection British warships receive from small calibre 30mm guns.[3] CORDA's programme manager said: "What we are doing is looking at the performance of the Royal Navy's 30mm Automated Small Calibre Gun and what can be done to increase the level of protection it provides.'... 'The ASCG system has significantly enhanced capability, but we have been asked to look at how improving tactics or integrating further technology could improve the performance of the system."[3] The study used simulator-based operator trials to quantify the performance of the weapon system when engaging multiple targets in a coordinated attack, at the Maritime Warfare School.[3]

 United Kingdom

• The system is fitted to the Royal Navy's Type 23 frigates, Hunt-class mine sweepers, Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers and RFA Wave Ruler.[4][5]

 Iraq

• The system is fitted to fifteen Swiftships patrol boats of the Iraqi Navy.[6]

 Oman

• The system is fitted to three Khareef-class corvettes for the Royal Navy of Oman.[7]

 Thailand

• The system is fitted to HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej and Naresuan class frigates, HTMS Angthong amphibious assault ship, HTMS Krabi, Laemsing and Tor class patrol boats[8]

 Malaysia

• Used by Royal Malaysian Navy on six Maharaja Lela-class frigates, two Lekiu-class frigates, two Kasturi-class corvettes and two Gagah Samudera Class offshore patrol vessels

 Brazil

• Used by Brazilian Navy. The system equips the three Amazonas class corvettes and the PHM Atlântico.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Category:DS30M 30mm naval autocannon.

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