Land Attack Technology

The Land Attack Tech (PE 0603795N) program is a Navy Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) initiative focused on advancing minor caliber gun systems for shipboard defense. The primary goal is to enhance the Navy's capability to counter small boat threats, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and unmanned surface vehicles (USV) through the development and integration of advanced gun weapon systems. This program supports both immediate operational needs and long-term modernization objectives for fleet self-defense, particularly on DDG 51 Flight IIA and Flight III AEGIS Destroyers, as well as other surface combatants and patrol vessels.

A central focus of this program is upgrading the existing 25mm MK 38 MOD 2 and MOD 3 Machine Gun Systems (MGS) to provide improved Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW), Anti-terrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP), and Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) capabilities. Over 360 MK 38 systems are currently deployed across various Navy and Coast Guard platforms. The MOD 3 variant is being enhanced with electro-optical/infrared sensors, hardware, and software to address emerging unmanned aerial threats, with incremental improvements for cybersecurity and operability.

A major objective for FY 2025 and FY 2026 is the qualification and logistics development of the 30mm MK 38 MOD 4 Gun Weapon System. This new system will provide greater accuracy, lethality, and effective range against UAS and USV threats. Key activities include function integration testing, functional acceptance testing, AEGIS combat system integration, structural test firing, and at-sea quick reaction assessments. The MOD 4 system is scheduled for fielding on all current and future DDG 51 Flight IIA and Flight III Destroyers, representing an approach to rapidly deploying critical ship self-defense capabilities.

Another significant goal is the integration of Hypervelocity Projectile (HVP) munitions into the five-inch MK 34 gun weapon system, leveraging technology developed for the Army and adapting it for naval use. This effort involves developing fire control software, datalink solutions, hardware-in-the-loop simulation, system integration testing, and live fire exercises at sea. The objective is to provide an effective C-UAS solution using existing shipboard systems, thereby expanding the Navy's layered defense against unmanned threats.

The program's acquisition strategy involves collaboration with industry partners such as MSI-Defense Systems, BAE Systems, and the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), as well as technical support from Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Dahlgren, NSWC Indian Head, and NSWC Crane. These agencies are responsible for product development, engineering services, configuration management, logistics, and testing of new capabilities, including the integration of 30mm airburst rounds and HVP munitions.

Planned accomplishments for FY 2025 include completion of Initial Operational Capability (IOC) improvement system certification and initiation of 30mm airburst round integration for the MOD 4 system. FY 2026 will focus on continuing airburst round development to further enhance effectiveness against UAS and USV threats. Funding adjustments between FY 2025 and FY 2026 reflect the completion of certain certification milestones and rate or miscellaneous changes, as well as workforce optimization initiatives in line with executive orders.