The USCG’s Legend Class National Security Cutters

March 5/19: 57mm HE-PD The Navy contracted Chemring Ordnance $10.4 million for the manufacture, assembly, test, and delivery of 57mm High Explosive – Point Detonating (HE-PD) cartridges. The 57mm HE-PD Cartridge is a 57mm/70, electrically-primed cartridge designed to function in the 57mm MK 110 Gun Mount (GM). The MK 110 GM is employed on the Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) class as well as the Coast Guard Legend-class National Security Cutters (NSC). The LCS is a fast, highly maneuverable, networked surface combat ship designed to satisfy the requirement for shallow draft vessels. The NSC is the largest and most technically advanced class of cutter designed for the US Coast Guard under the Deepwater program. The contract is to develop and produce 57mm HE-PD cartridges intended for combating surface and ground targets. The cartridge consists of a high explosive projectile with the ability to point detonate, a brass cartridge case loaded with propellant charge, and an electric primer. Chemring Ordnance designs, develops, and manufactures ordnance, pyrotechnic, and other munition components for military, homeland security, and first responders. The company offers 40mm low and high velocity ammunition, pyrotechnic marking, smoking, signaling, and tactical illumination devices, battlefield effects simulators, hand grenade fuses, and other ammunition components. Work under the contract will take place in Perry, Florida and is scheduled to be completed by February 2021.