U.S Navy Equips USS Mustin with New Dual-Gun Mk 38 Mod 4 Point-Defense System

The U.S Navy has equipped its Arleigh-Burke-class destroyer, the USS Mustin, with the new Mk 38 Mod 4 Gun Weapon, which can take down drones and surface vessels. The warship showcased the system during its operations in the Indian Ocean Region.

The new system is better than its predecessors in more than one way. Firstly, it has a 30 mmm Mk 44 Mod 3 Bushmaster II chain gun which can fire 200 rounds in 60 seconds. It has a .50 calibre M2 machine gun, which can fire 500 rounds in a minute, mounted on top of the main cannon.

The dual-configuration drastically enhances the system’s short-range firepower capabilities. It is also equipped with an electro-optical sight system and an operator console.

Most importantly, the system can be integrated into the naval vessel’s Aegis Combat System, allowing it to track the target using advanced radars.

This represents a shift from the 25 mm Mk 38 Mod 0/1, a manually operated system used in the 1990s.

However, an attack occurred on the USS Cole in 2000; the U.S Navy decided to use Mod 2, which could be remotely operated.

Then came Mod 3, which added a co-axial 7.62 mm chain gun and independent optics, thus enhancing the strike capabilities of the system.

The Mod 4 is derived from the DS30 series of MSI Defence Systems and introduces the heaviest firepower and the most advanced integration to the Mk 38 family till now.

The system underwent live-fire trials in 2022, which were successful and gave satisfactory results, leading to the installation of the weapon on the USS Martin in 2024.

The Naval Sea Systems Command is now finalising the configuration to prepare the system for a broader deployment beyond the 15-unit production contract.

According to the Naval Budget, the Mk 38 Mod 4 would be fitted on all variants of the Arleigh Burke destroyers and icebreakers, while the remaining active Mod 2 mounts which are active are to be converted to the Mod 3 configuration.

This is part of an effort to equip warships with advanced weapons to safeguard against swarm threats.

Apart from the Mod 4, the U.S Navy is also working on effective and cheap anti-drone interceptors, and replacing the Vulcan Phalanx close-in weapon systems with the Rolling Airframe Missile launchers.

Increased investments are being made in new laser technologies, microwave and electronic warfare capabilities.