Navy yet to settle on guns for support ships

The Royal Navy has not selected the gun fit for its three Fleet Solid Support ships, which will carry ammunition and stores for carrier groups and other vessels. A previous automatic small-caliber gun requirement was removed from Navantia UK's manufacturing contract, recording a £1.704 million constructive loss because it no longer matched the fleet's likely future solution. Officials say a rationalization program aims to reduce gun variants and improve commonality across the service. The ships will be designed to accept multiple future weapons, but the ministry has not named a preferred caliber, mount, supplier, selection date, or installation schedule.