Defence Online

Technical update boosts L118 Light Gun accuracy and availability

Land May 15, 2024

Defence Equipment & Support has awarded a contract to Leonardo for improvements to the L118 Light Gun to make it even more accurate.

The L118 Light Gun’s Automatic Pointing System (APS) consists of an Inertial Navigation Unit with GPS, Layer Display Control Unit, Switchbox and Muzzle Velocity Radar.

The £15M contract will see Leonardo update the APS ensuring the Light Gun can continue supporting UK Armed Forces through to its current out of service date of March 2030.

Leonardo was awarded the contract due to the company having the specific skills, software and hardware to carry out the update efficiently and effectively, ensuring best value for the taxpayer.

Andy McGrellis, Deputy Programme Leader, Artillery Systems, at DE&S, said: “This update ensures greater accuracy for the UK Armed Forces using the weapon, while addressing obsolescence issues to greatly improve its overall availability.

“In addition, the weapon and those who use it will benefit from the latest encryption for even higher security of the Light Gun.”

The APS contract directly supports 12 roles within the Navigation Team at Leonardo in the UK and more predominantly in the UK supply chain.

Andy McGrellis added: “L118 Light Gun has been supporting operations for many years and still plays an extremely important role. This update boosts its effectiveness and availability, to ensure it plays its full part for our Armed Forces until the official out of service date.”

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DE&S Leonardo Light Gun

Post written by: Vicky Maggiani

Vicky has worked in media for over 20 years and has a wealth of experience in editing and creating copy for a variety of sectors.