Bofors 40 Mk4

The Bofors 40 Mk4 naval gun system is a lightweight multi-purpose naval cannon.^[1][2][3][4] It fires programmable Bofors 40 mm 3P all-target ammunition to engage ships, aircraft, anti-ship missiles and shore targets.^[4][5][6] It is a modern naval version of the Bofors 40 mm L/70۔ The gun can engage target in less than 0.5 seconds after the warning.^[4]

Bofors 40 Mk4
Bofors 40 Mk4 naval gun with on-mount TV camera and muzzle velocity radar on board the Japanese patrol vessel Shunkō
Type	Naval gun
Place of origin	Sweden
Service history
In service	2012–present[1]
Used by	See operators
Production history
Designer	BAE Systems AB
Manufacturer	BAE Systems AB
Produced	2009–present[1]
Specifications
Mass	Empty: 2,300 kilograms (5,100 lb)
Crew	remote controlled with gyro-stabilised local control back-up
Shell	40 × 365 cartridge weight 2.5 kilograms (5.5 lb) shell weight 0.975 kilograms (2.15 lb)
Caliber	40 mm (1.6 in)
Elevation	−20°/+80°
Traverse	360°
Rate of fire	300 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity	1,012 m/s (3,320 ft/s)
Maximum firing range	12,500 m (7.8 miles)
Feed system	Magazine capacity: 100 ready rounds

Ammunition

Bofors 40 mm 3P all-target programmable ammunition allows six modes including three proximity fuzing modes. This increases the flexibility and effectiveness of the gun system, which has further reduced the reaction time of the gun and it is possible to choose ammunition mode at the moment of firing, giving it the ability to switch rapidly between surface targets, air targets, and ground targets.^[7][5][6] Along with the 40 mm 3P, the gun can also fire other Bofors 40 mm L/70 ammunition and has the capability to rapidly switch between ammunition.^[8]

Variants

• Bofors 40 mm Mk 4 L: Proposed land-based version to install on vehicles such as RMMV HX.^[9]

Users

Current users

•  Belgium
  • Belgian Navy
    • City-class mine countermeasures vessel^[1][10]
•  Brazil
  • Brazilian Navy
    • Macaé-class patrol vessel: Maracanã^[11]
•  Finland
  • Finnish Navy
    • Hamina-class missile boat^[12]
•  Japan
  • Japanese Coast Guard
    • Japanese patrol vessel Shunkō^[13]
•  Netherlands
  • Royal Netherlands Navy
    • City-class mine countermeasures vessel^[1][10]
•  Sweden
  • Swedish Navy^[14]

Future users

•  United Kingdom
  • Royal Navy
    • Type 31 frigate^[1]

References

1. "In focus: the Bofors 40mm Mk 4 gun that will equip the Type 31 frigates". Navy Lookout. 31 December 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
2. "Bofors 40 Mk4 naval gun system BAE Systems 40mm datasheet pictures photos video specifications". Navy Recognition. 21 September 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
3. "Bofors 40 Mk4 Naval Gun". BAE Systems. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
4. "Bofors 40 Mk4 Naval Gun (pdf)". BAE Systems. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
5. "FUZE 3P Ammunition". BAE Systems. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
6. "FUZE 3P Ammunition (pdf)". BAE Systems. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
7. "40 and 57 mm 3P ammunition". BAE Systems. 2006. Archived from the original on 26 September 2011. Retrieved 22 September 2011. updated page
8. "Euronaval 2018: Which Naval Guns and Missiles for FLOTLOG ?". Navy Recognition. 22 October 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
9. "DSEI 2023: BAE outlines land-based roles for Bofors 40mm naval gun". Shephard Press Limited. 13 September 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
10. "BAE Systems 40Mk4 Naval Guns Selected For Belgian And Dutch RMCM Program", Naval News, 2021
11. "Systems 40 Mk4 Naval Gun Selected By Brazilian Navy for 500T "Macae" Class Patrol Vessels". Navy Recognition. 19 May 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
12. "Finnish Navy completes upgrade of 4th and final Hamina-class FAC". 6 May 2022. Archived from the original on 2022-06-02. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
13. "Japan Coast Guard New 6,000 Tons Patrol Vessel PLH-41 'Mizuho' Fitted With 40Mk4 Main Gun". Naval News. 22 April 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
14. "Sweden to purchase two Bofors 40 Mk4 guns for its Navy". Navy Recognition. 21 January 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2024.