PRNewswire,
PHILADELPHIA — The first missile firing naval gun system, the “Super Rapid,” has been delivered to the United States from Italy. It is on display at the site of the future Oto Melara facility at the Airport Business Complex adjacent to the Philadelphia International Airport. Later today, Congressman Curt Weldon will help dedicate the new plant, which is expected to open in 2005.
The “Super Rapid” is a fully modular, 76mm gun system equipped with a stealth shield. Able to fire regular ammunition and launch guided missiles. The gun system already is helping to revolutionize naval warfare.
A key feature of the advanced gun is its ability to shoot down cruise missiles. China and Russia are proliferating these missiles, many of which are in the hands of rogue nations and terrorist groups.
This new weapons system will provide a defense shield that can protect vital ocean passageways where oil tankers carry the bulk of the world's oil flow. The Super Rapid system will defeat attacks by low flying cruise and sea skimming missiles that are proliferating in the Persian Gulf and elsewhere.
After an initial stop in Philadelphia, the Super Rapid gun will travel to Louisville, Kentucky where it will undergo testing by the U.S. Navy.
The new Super Rapid model is a direct descendent of the Oto Melara Mark 75 gun which is used by U.S. Navy frigates and two classes of Coast Guard cutters. The Mark 75-type gun system is deployed globally in 53 navies and is the most successful naval gun ever produced. Oto Melara and the former FMC Corporation in the United States manufactured about 900 of the Mark-75 guns. So far, 100 Super Rapid's have been produced with another 50 on order.
NATO countries including Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey and others including Japan and Israel are using the Mk75 gun and enhanced versions of the Mark 75 for deep water and coastal protection and in counter-terror operations.
The Super Rapid — which fires at the rate of 120 rounds per minute or two shots per second, and can launch a new generation of missiles at the same rate of fire, has already been adopted by 18 user countries, including 7 NATO nations. Norway is putting the Super Rapid on its new high-speed stealth patrol vessels, the Sjkold class.
“The delivery of the Super Rapid to the United States is an historic moment,” says Howard Goldberg, the President of Oto Melara Inc. in Philadelphia. “We anticipate invigorating the defense industrial base in the United States with this advanced technology. We expect to create many jobs here, and to help the Navy and Coast Guard advance the state of the art in gunnery technology.”
Oto Melara will soon celebrate its 100th Anniversary producing naval gun systems. “It is fitting,” says Goldberg, “as we prepare to celebrate the success of our technology, that we can also celebrate a new beginning in the United States.”
