4.5 Inch Mark 8 Naval Gun - 155 Mm Variant

155 Mm Variant

The Ministry of Defence investigated a proposal from BAE Systems to "up gun" the 4.5 inch to accept the 155 mm (6.1 inch) gun barrel and breech from the AS-90 self-propelled gun. This "155mm Third Generation Maritime Fire Support" (155 TMF) would introduce a common gun calibre with the British Army and Royal Navy, helping with ammunition logistics, and encouraging joint Army-Navy development of extended range and precision guided shells. A £4m contract was been awarded to develop a prototype, and firing trials were scheduled for 2009 with delivery in 2014 but the project was cancelled in the 2010 SDSR. Future RN warships will have a 127mm gun from either Oto Melara or BAE.