Function: Single barrel, air cooled, semi- and full-automatic, manually trained and elevated machine gun system.





Description: The MK-38 is a 25-mm (one inch diameter) heavy machine gun, effective to 2,700 yards (2,457 meters).





History: The MK 38 machine gun system (MGS) was employed aboard various combatant and auxiliary ships in the Mid-East Force escort operations and during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The weapons are maintained in a rotatable pool, available for temporary installation on various deploying ships and permanent installation on certain amphibious and auxiliary ships, patrol craft and Coast Guard cutters.





General Characteristics, Mark 38 25m Machine Gun System





Contractor:

Designed and assembled by Crane Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center; components procured from various contractors





Range:

2,700 yards (2,457 meters)





Guidance System:

Unstabilized, manually trained and elevated







Type of Fire:

Single shot; 175 rounds per minute automatic





Rates of Fire:

25 mm (1 inch)





Date Deployed:

1986