The German Navy has received its first 127/64 Lightweight (LW) Vulcano naval gun from Oto Melara, to help meet and adapt to asymmetric warfare requirements.
The delivery is part of an €80m deal awarded to the company by the German BWB to deliver naval guns and a wide range of products.
Under the contract, Oto Melara is scheduled to deliver five 127/64 LW naval gun mounts, of which four will be installed on the new German F125 Baden-Württemberg-class frigates, while the fifth will be used for training purposes.
Weighing nearly 30t, the 127/64LW Vulcano features an extended barrel of 64 calibres to enable launch of an unguided projectile at a maximum range of 90km.
Development of the naval gun began in 2005 before entering into service in 2012 with installation on board the first Italian Navy FREMM frigate, Carlo Bergamini.
Designed to meet the requirements of naval fire support and long-range engagement of surface targets, the 127/64 LW naval gun when combined with Vulcano ammunition provides high level performance and target precision with limited reaction time.
Capable of firing all standard 5in and Vulcano guided long-range ammunition, the rapid gun fire mount can be deployed on board large and medium sized ships to provide surface, naval gunfire capabilities, and anti-aircraft firing capability.
ARGE F125, a joint venture of ThyssenKrupp Marine System and Friedrich Lürssen Werft, is currently manufacturing F125 frigates for the navy.
Delivery of the first vessel is planned for 2016, with the last vessel scheduled for 2018.
Image: German Navy F125 frigates will be armed with the Oto Melara 127/64 LW Alleggerito lightweight naval guns.
