Group : Medium Caliber Cannons
Status : Active
Also Known As : Mark 38, Mk 38 Mod 2, MK 38 Mod 3
Origin : United States of America
Contractors : BAE Systems, Rafael
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 1986
Total Production : 380
Unitary Cost : USD $580,000

The Mk 38 is a single barrel, air cooled, 25mm heavy machine gun effective to 2,500 meters and intended for ship self-protection. This gun was employed aboard various US Navy's surface combatant, amphibious and auxiliary ships in the mid-east force escort operations, and during operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The US Coast Guard also employs the Mk 38 gun on some patrol craft and cutters. The current Mk 38 Mod 1 gun is operated by a one man and the cannon is not stabilized. The Mk 38 Mod 2 model introduces a fully stabilized gun mount that can be fired remotely. The new gun mount of Mod 2 models includes on-board target acquisition and detection systems, and fire control systems.

On June 8, 2004, United Defense was awarded a $396 million contract for production, spare parts and engineering support of Mk 38 mod 2 machine gun system ordnance alteration program. The first modified Mk 38 mod 2 machine are scheduled for delivery in late 2004. United Defense will receive Mod 2 retrofit kit orders through 2010. On May 8, 2006, the US Navy awarded BAE Systems a new order for 67 Mk 38 Mod 2 guns to be installed aboard cruisers, destroyers and landing platform dock ships. This order was valued at $39 million from the $395 million production contract for the Mk 38 gun system. The US Navy sought to improve its ships' last defense layer through the acquisition of Mk 38 guns.

Group : Weapon Stations
Status : Under Development
Origin : United States of America
Contractors : BAE Systems*, Boeing
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2020
Total Production : ?

The Mk 38 Mod 2 Tactical Laser System is an advanced directed energy system demonstrator developed by BAE Systems and Boeing for the US Navy. It combines the 25mm machine gun from the Mk 38 gun system and a high energy laser weapon system to achieve enhanced surface ship defense. The solid-state high-energy laser weapon module is supplied by Boeing and is intended to hit surface and airborne threats such as small boats and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). The tactical laser system also provides the ability to deliver different levels of laser energy, depending on the target and mission objectives. The US Navy contract for the Mk 38 Mod 2 Tactical Laser System was awarded in March 2011 to BAE Systems and the agreement between Boeing and BAE Systems was announced in July the same year.