Gun Weapon Systems

The Department of the Navy is seeking an electro-mechanical capability for the sustained tactical loading and unloading of 5-inch/54 caliber naval ammunition. The agency needs to modernize ammunition handling and controls for existing fielded MK 34 Major Caliber Gun Weapon System guns, which utilize the MK 45 MOD 2 and 4 5-Inch Gun System. This initiative addresses a lack of commercial technology capable of solving these specific ammunition handling and control needs. The project covers the modification of the fielded gun systems with automated ammunition loading systems. The requested solution must provide an operational availability of 0.9 or greater, increase the sustained firing rate to greater than 12 rounds per minute, and reduce occupational exposure to petroleum-based hydraulic fluids. The agency restricts the solution to the existing MK 45 Gun System Size, Weight, and Power profile, requiring no modifications to the ship platform. Bidders must utilize Model-Based Engineering design principles for all solutions. Eligibility is restricted to onshore United States organizations only. The agency requires the performance of the work to occur offsite. The agency is looking for proposals to establish the budget, and no specific key dates or further evaluation criteria are provided in the source.