30mm DS30M Mark 2 Automated Small Calibre Gun

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}} {{Infobox weapon |name=DS30M | image=Operação Atlântico 2018 (31993872418).jpg | image_size = 300 |caption=30mm DS30M Mark 2 fitted on NAM ''Atlântico'' |origin = United Kingdom |type=Gun turret for autocannon with automated mount or manual control  |is_ranged=yes |is_artillery=yes  |service=2007–present |used_by=See ''operators'' |wars=  |designer=MSI-Defence Systems /Alliant Techsystems |design_date= |manufacturer= |unit_cost= |production_date= |number= |variants=  |spec_label= |weight= |length= |part_length={{convert|94.88|in}} |width= |height= |diameter= |crew=  |cartridge=30×173mm |caliber={{convert|30|mm|2}} caliber |barrels= |action= |rate= |velocity={{convert|1080|m/s}} (HEI-T ammunition) |range= {{convert|5100|m}} |max_range= |feed= |sights= }}

The '''30mm DS30M Mark 2''' is a ship-protection system made by MSI-Defence Systems consisting of a 30mm Mark 44 Bushmaster II cannon on an automated mount. It was designed to defend Royal Navy frigates from fast inshore attack craft armed with short-range missiles, rocket-propelled grenades, machine guns, or explosives.

==Description== The DS30M Mark 2 system consists of a 30mm Mark 44 Bushmaster II<ref name=globalsecurityMk44/> on a fully automated mount or via manual control<ref name=IDR30Oct07/> with an off-mount electro-optical director (EOD).<ref name=IDR30Oct07/> The gun and the EOD can be controlled from a remote operator console elsewhere on the ship. The weapon is a gyro-stabilized, electrically operated, self-contained, single cannon mount featuring a choice of weapon, control mode and sights. It has low magnetic, radar and infrared signatures with good availability, reliability and maintainability (ARM).<ref name=globalsecurityMk44>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/systems/mk-44-30mm.htm Global Security ''Mk 44 Bushmaster II 30/40mm Automatic Cannon / Mk 46 Weapon Station''].</ref> In theory, the dual feed system of the Bushmaster series allows the operator to select different types of ammunition for use against a variety of targets.

==History== In August 2005, the Maritime Gunnery and Missile Systems Integrated Project Team in the UK Ministry of Defence awarded MSI-Defence Systems (part of MS International PLC) a contract to supply a total of 26 Automated Small Calibre Guns (ASCG) systems for retrofit to the 13 Type 23 frigates of the Royal Navy (RN) as part of their littoral Defensive Anti-Surface Warfare upgrade<ref name="IDR30Oct07">{{Cite web|last=Scott|first=Richard|date=30 October 2007|title=ASCG enhances Type 23 close-in defence|url=https://www.janes.com/news/defence/idr/idr071030_1_n.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080225165238/https://www.janes.com/news/defence/idr/idr071030_1_n.shtml|archive-date=25 February 2008|website=Janes}}</ref> in a contract was worth more than £15 million (US$30.7 million).<ref name=IDR30Oct07/> The system was bought after Fleet Command and the UK Ministry of Defence's (MoD's) Directorate Equipment Capability identified a gap in capability in the RN's ability to defend itself against swarming fast attack craft threats.<ref name=IDR30Oct07/>

MSI undertook land-based trials at Eskmeals Firing Range in Cumbria.<ref name=IDR30Oct07/> In mid-2007, MSI delivered the first two mountings, which were installed on HMS ''Somerset'' in August 2007, and used in sea trials on gun ranges in the English Channel starting in October 2007.<ref name=IDR30Oct07/>

In 2008, the management consultancy company CORDA (part of BAE Systems) was awarded a £300,000 research contract by the UK MoD's Defence Technology and Innovation Centre to assess the level of protection British warships receive from small calibre 30mm guns.<ref name=CORDA26Jun08>{{cite web|url=http://www.corda.co.uk/CordaContainer/Corda/News/CORDA_news_27_06_08.html|title=CORDA – Delivering Successful Futures}}</ref> CORDA's programme manager said: "What we are doing is looking at the performance of the Royal Navy's 30mm Automated Small Calibre Gun and what can be done to increase the level of protection it provides. [...] The ASCG system has significantly enhanced capability, but we have been asked to look at how improving tactics or integrating further technology could improve the performance of the system."<ref name=CORDA26Jun08/> The study used simulator-based operator trials at the Maritime Warfare School to quantify the performance of the weapon system when engaging multiple targets.<ref name=CORDA26Jun08/>

In 2019, a trial was carried out on board HMS ''Sutherland'' to test the fitting and operation of Martlet light surface-to-surface missiles on a modified DS30M Mark 2 mount. While initial reports suggested that the tests were deemed successful, subsequent reports indicated otherwise.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.navylookout.com/ukraine-war-sees-uncrewed-surface-vessels-mature-into-a-serious-threat/|title =Ukraine war sees uncrewed surface vessels mature into a serious threat |website=Navy Lookout |date=6 August 2023}}</ref> As a result, Martlet has not been integrated into Royal Navy DS30M Mk 2 mounts in the surface-to-surface mode.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.navylookout.com/the-martlet-missile-wildcat-helicopter-gets-its-claws/|title = The Martlet missile – the Wildcat helicopter gets its claws | Navy Lookout| date=15 June 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.navylookout.com/royal-navy-test-fires-ship-mounted-martlet-lightweight-multi-role-missile/|title=Royal Navy test-fires ship-mounted Martlet Lightweight Multi-role Missile | Navy Lookout|date=16 July 2019 }}</ref>

==Operators== ;{{UK}} *The system is fitted to the Royal Navy's Type 23 frigates and River-class Batch II offshore patrol vessels.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ted.europa.eu/udl?uri=TED:NOTICE:115077-2016:TEXT:EN:HTML|title=Supplies – 115077-2016 – TED Tenders Electronic Daily}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/625454/July_Desider_2017-small.pdf|title=Desider July 2017|publisher=gov.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.navylookout.com/the-all-rounder-the-30mm-automated-small-calibre-gun-in-focus/ |title=The all-rounder – the 30mm Automated Small Calibre Gun in focus |work= Navy Lookout|date=13 January 2021 |access-date=29 March 2023}}</ref> ;{{flag|Iraq}} *The system is fitted to fifteen Swiftships patrol boats of the Iraqi Navy.<ref name="Defence Industry daily">[http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Swiftships-Shipbuilders-Gets-181M-for-Iraqi-Navy-Patrol-Boats-05812/ Swiftships Orders Build Iraqi Navy’s Coastal Patrol Capabilities].</ref> ;{{flag|Oman}} *The system is fitted to three {{sclass2|Khareef|corvette}}s for the Royal Navy of Oman.<ref name=Naval-Technology>[http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/khareef-class/ Naval Technology.com].</ref> ;{{flag|Thailand}} *The system is fitted to HTMS ''Bhumibol Adulyadej'' and ''Naresuan-''class frigates, HTMS ''Angthong'' amphibious assault ship, HTMS ''Krabi'', Laemsing and ''Tor-''class patrol boats,HTMS Prachuap Khiri Khan and khamronsin class corvette.<ref name="Royal Thai Navy Combatant Ship Specification | เรือรบของกองทัพเรือไทย">[http://www.thaiarmedforce.com/inventory/34-thailand-inventory/51-rtn-combatship-spec.html Royal Thai Navy Combatant Ship Specification] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812090750/http://www.thaiarmedforce.com/inventory/34-thailand-inventory/51-rtn-combatship-spec.html |date=2016-08-12 }}, thaiarmedforce.com, 21 January 2010</ref> ;{{flag|Malaysia}} *Planned to be used by Royal Malaysian Navy on six ''Maharaja Lela''-class frigates. ;{{BRA}} *Used by Brazilian Navy. The system equips the three ''Amazonas-''class offshore patrol vessels and the NAM ''Atlântico''.

==References== {{Reflist}}

== External links == * [http://www.msi-dsl.com/our_products/weapons/gunmount.php SEAHAWK]

{{DEFAULTSORT:30mm Ds30m Mark 2 Automated Small Calibre Gun}} Category:Naval anti-aircraft guns Category:30 mm artillery Category:Close-in weapon systems Category:Military robots Category:Naval guns of the United Kingdom Category:Military equipment introduced in the 2000s