RAFAEL is unveiling new missile-carrying variants of the Typhoon marine stabilized weapon system at IMDEX 2013. Two systems – MLS-ER and MLS-NLOS represent two modular evolutions of the combat proven Typhoon, enhancing the operational capabilities of small and medium naval crafts, responding to evolving requirements of navies facing new asymmetric threats.

This is an excerpt of an article currently reserved for members only.The MLS utilizes the standard Typhoon pedestal, electronics and control systems providing a complete naval missile and gun system. Defense-Update reports from IMDEX 2013.

RAFAEL’s latest variant of Typhoon Stabilized Naval Gun carries the ATK Mk 44 Bushmaster II automatic cannon, which is currently considered the optimal weapon for small boats. Over 350 such systems have been delivered and are operational with 15 navies worldwide. This design features well over 90% commonality with the U.S. Navy’s fielded Mk 38 incorporating the same electronics and man-machine interfaces. The Typhoon adds significant capability for shipboard defense against small, fast, and agile surface threats.

The company has recently launched an upgrade program, enabling Typhoon operators, using the M242 Bushmaster cannon to upgrade their Typhoon mounts to the more powerful Mk44 cannon. This cannon fires all 30mm x 173mm NATO Standard ammunition and is also capable of firing the new programmable airburst munitions (ABM). The mount also features two options for a Coaxial Mounted Machine Gun – either the M2HB 0.5 caliber or a 7.62mm machine gun with remote charging capability built-in. The new mount has a magazine capacity of over 400 ready 30mm rounds, compared 200x25mm rounds in the current configuration. Retaining the M242, the new mount will more than double ammunition capacity to 500 rounds.