Article Posted on : - Apr 12, 2012

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA (BNS): General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, a business unit of General Dynamics, has been awarded a $7.8 million contract modification from the Naval Air Systems Command for production of more than 20 F/A-18 E/F 20mm gun systems for the Super Hornet fighter aircraft.

The F/A-18 E/F gun system is composed of a lightweight, six-barrel 20mm M61A2 Gatling gun equipped with a closed-loop rotary linkless feed system.

The system has a maximum firing rate of up to 6,000 shots per minute and serves as the aircraft's last line of defense in close-in aerial engagements.

"General Dynamics has successfully produced the weapon system for the F/A-18 for more than 25 years," Steve Elgin, vice president and general manager of armament systems for General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, was quoted as saying in the company statement.

"The M61A2 F/A-18 gun system continues to be relevant, affordable and extremely effective," he added.