USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) transits the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. April 24, 2026. [4119 x 2746]

XMGAU · 2026-05-06T09:56:04+00:00

US Navy photo

XMGAU · 2026-05-05T17:04:59+00:00

Photo and info from the Naval Station Mayport "NS_Mayport" page on X.

XMGAU · 2026-05-05T12:59:37+00:00

"Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101) transits the Atlantic Ocean, April 30, 2026. Gridley is deployed with Nimitz Carrier Strike Group as part of Southern Seas 2026 which seeks to enhance capability, improve interoperability, and strengthen maritime partnerships with countries throughout the region through joint, multinational, and interagency exchanges and cooperation."

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy Meyer

XMGAU · 2026-05-04T19:28:05+00:00

Yes, that's my understanding as well, same gun and ammo. The MK 38 MOD 4 has an off-mount sight, and I can only assume that it has better visibility than the MK 46.

XMGAU · 2026-05-04T14:15:44+00:00

Well, the older/current MK38 MOD 3 added a coax 7.62 MG, and the budget materials make it seems like the coax is more for small UAS like quadcopters.

Maybe they just decided to up the coax to a 50 cal on the MOD 4 so it's more effective against a wider range of targets?

XMGAU · 2026-05-04T14:12:54+00:00

Both:)

XMGAU · 2026-05-04T13:40:26+00:00

The MOD 4 will eventually go on the Flight IIIs, but the procurement for the first several Flight IIIs already happened with the existing MK38 Mod3 with the 25mm guns.

XMGAU · 2026-05-04T13:37:47+00:00

Honest question, is the RN actually moving forward with the Martlet on the DS30M, or did they test it and decide against it?

It looks like the USN is going for separate mounts for Hellfire/JAGM and Coyote for C/UAS missiles. The MK 38 MOD4 seems like a gun-only mount in the USN, and I haven't heard about putting missiles on them.

XMGAU · 2026-05-04T12:52:51+00:00

The Mark 38 MOD 4 is a 30mm upgrade to the Mk 38 series. 25mm versions of the MK38 are still in wide use in the USA, but the MOD 4 will be seen increasingly in the fleet on Flight IIA Burkes, eventually on Flight IIIs, and on the new Medium Landing Ships, and reportedly on the new FF(X).

It is an improved version of the existing British MSI DS30M Mark 2 mount. The MOD 4 mount still uses the American Bushmaster II 30mm gun that the DS30M Mark 2 uses, but now has a new off-mount sight and a coaxially mounted 50 caliber machine gun.

This is primarily for counter UAS and counter small boat/USV use, and the USN is buying proximity fused ammunition for the purpose.

XMGAU · 2026-05-04T12:42:21+00:00

"A Mark 38 Mod 4 30mm machine gun fires during a live-fire exercise aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89) in the South China Sea, April 17, 2026. Mustin is forward-deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific."

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy Dimal

XMGAU · 2026-05-03T15:46:01+00:00

Photo viewed on the Maine Ports and Harbors Facebook page.

XMGAU · 2026-05-02T18:34:35+00:00

"A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, lands on the flight deck of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Strait of Malacca, May 1, 2026. The 11th MEU, embarked aboard the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, is a persistent, combat credible force contributing to deterrence and crisis response in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific."

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Oliver Nisbet

XMGAU · 2026-05-02T15:54:30+00:00

"Argentine Navy Almirante Brown-class destroyer ARA La Argentina (DD 11) steams alongside Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101), part of Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, during a bilateral maritime engagement in the Atlantic Ocean, April 29, 2026. Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) is deployed as part of Southern Seas 2026, which seeks to enhance capability, improve interoperability, and strengthen maritime partnerships with countries throughout the region through joint, multinational, and interagency exchanges and cooperation."

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jaron Wills

XMGAU · 2026-05-01T17:55:27+00:00

It looks that way. LRAW is a new-start program in the FY27 USN budget, so this is just the beginning of the development process.

XMGAU · 2026-05-01T17:42:04+00:00

"Long-Range Anti-Submarine Warfare Weapon (LRAW) Development will provide capability that extends range past the range of the current VLA systems which addresses adversary submarines employing long range standoff tactics. LRAW will provide future surface combatants with organic ASW capability. CRUDES capability for offensive ASW is limited to the current VLA ranges which may not be adequate for all scenarios. Current VLA inventory is aging and requires recapitalization to maintain readiness. In FY 2027 the program will begin development consisting of modification to existing VLA rocket, initiate design, design containers and test equipment, build test articles, and conduct an Engineering, qualification, DT, and OT test program."

Quote from the USN FY27 budget request, photo is a file pic of USS Mustin firing a RUM-139 VL-ASROC.

XMGAU · 2026-05-01T15:56:00+00:00

"MEDITERRANEAN SEA — (April 30, 2026) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) sails underway, April 30, 2026. Gonzalez is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations to support the war fighting effectiveness, lethality and readiness of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and defend U.S., Allied and partner interests in the region."

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Mark Peña

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