BAE Systems has received a contract for two Bofors 40Mk4 naval gun systems for the Brazilian Navy, forming part of the Patrol Vessel Construction Project (PRONAPA). The Brazilian Navy (MB) is set to construct eleven 500-ton offshore patrol vessels (NPa500BR) under the Patrol Ship Acquisition Program (PRONAPA). The Bofors 40Mk4 is a compact and lightweight naval gun system designed for anti-aircraft, anti-UAS/drone and anti-surface warfare operations. The state-of-the-art ammunition used by the 40Mk4 is a flexible and multipurpose round, suitable to defeat targets such as drones, missiles, helicopters, swarming boats, surface vessels, and land targets. It is a modern naval version of the Bofors 40 mm L/70. The gun can engage targets in less than 0.5 seconds after warning. Brazil already operates dozens of Bofors 40 mm guns. The proven Bofors 40 mm gun, together with the latest in munitions technology, forms a platform ready to meet both the expected – and the unexpected.
“We continue to be a trusted partner in Latin America, providing world-leading capabilities in the region to support future growth. We are delivering cutting-edge solutions that include advanced firepower and the lightning quick response that the Brazilian Navy requires,” said Stefan Löfström, marketing & sales director at BAE Systems Bofors.
The Bofors 40Mk4 can switch seamlessly among ammunition types, which delivers versatile targeting of air, land and sea-based threats. The programmable 40mm Bofors 3P ammunition provides the naval gun system with the highest possible combat flexibility, as it can be programmed in six different function modes to provide optimized effect. 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. 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.
The 500-ton offshore patrol vessel (NPa500MB) is equipped with a Bofors Mk4 40 mm multipurpose gun at the bow and two Oerlikon GAM-B01 20 mm machine guns amidships. The vessel’s Combat Management System integrates navigation and surface search radars, an optronic sensor suite, X-band satellite communication, and a TV/streaming reception system for long-duration patrols. The vessel’s specifications include an overall length of 58.9 meters, a beam of 9.0 meters, a maximum draft of 2.5 meters, and a displacement of 564 tons when fully loaded. It has a steel hull and an aluminum superstructure. The propulsion system consists of two diesel engines driving two shaft lines, achieving a sustained top speed of 21.7 knots and a service speed of 13 knots. The vessel has an operational range of 3,000 nautical miles at service speed and an endurance of 20 days.
