Navy Destroyer Packs New ‘Piggy-Backed’ Point Defense System That Combines 30mm And .50 Cal Guns

The destroyer USS Mustin has received the Mk 38 Mod 4 point-defence system, pairing a 30 mm Mk 44 Mod 3 Bushmaster II cannon with a piggy-backed .50-calibre M2 machine gun on one mount. A separate Mk 48 Mod 2 electro-optical sight and Mk 134 console support target tracking and remote operation, while the two weapons offer different effects against drones and small boats. The Navy ordered 15 low-rate initial-production systems in 2023 and its fiscal 2027 plan calls for installation across Flight IIA and Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.