Mark 34 Gun Weapon System

The Mark 34 Gun Weapon System consists of three components: 5" Mark 45 gun The 127 mm 5"/54 caliber or 5"/62 caliber Mark 45 gun is fully-automated and capable of engaging surface targets in an anti-ship role, air targets in an anti-aircraft or defensive anti-missile role, and land targets in a naval gunfire support role. The gun has a range of 13 nmi (24.1 km) for 5"/54 variants or 20 nmi (37.0 km) for the 5"/62 variant. Its maximum rate of fire is 16–20 rounds per minute. The Mark 46 Optical Sight System consists of: • Above Deck Sensor Unit (ADSU) – Stabilized two-axis director with a daylight imaging sensor, a thermal imaging sensor, and a laser rangefinder.'''''' == Operation ==

The Mark 34 GWS has four modes of operation: • Surface Direct Fire Mode • Naval Gunfire Support Mode • Anti-aircraft Mode • Support Mode Surface Direct Fire (SDF) Mode SDF mode is used for the engagement of a surface target. The ship's main radar (e.g., AN/SPY-1D on Flight I–IIA Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, AN/SPY-6 on Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers) is the primary source of target data. The secondary surface search radar (e.g., AN/SPS-67 on earlier Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, AN/SPQ-9B on later Arleigh Burke-class destroyers) serves as a secondary source of targeting information. The Mk 46 OSS or Mk 20 EOSS supplements the radars. These sensors work together to provide high-quality target data to the GMP. but would not contribute to the engagement of a high-flying aircraft. Often, the SPY-1 or SPY-6 would be the only source of target data. The SDC/GMP additionally sends fuze orders for variable time fuze shells. Support Mode Support mode is used to calibrate the Mk 34 GWS. The Mk 45 gun shoots several rounds, which are tracked by the SPY-1 or SPY-6 radar. Their trajectory is compared to the expected trajectory, and data used by the Mk 34 GWS is updated to correct the shots. ==References==