The Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW) company, a subsidiary of the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ, Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa) entered into discussion with Northrop Grumman about setting up licensed production of Mk44S Bushmaster II chain guns in Poland.
The future Borsuk IFV will be fitted with the ZSSW-30 remotely controlled turret system, armed with the Mk44S Bushmaster II chain gun, the launcher for the Spike-LR ATGMs and a 7,62-mm machine gun / Photo by: HSW
Mk44S Bushmaster II is a crucial component of the locally designed Remote-Controlled 30 mm Turret System (ZSSW-30, Zdalnie Sterowany System Wieżowy). ZSSW-30, developed by a consortium of Polish defense companies, with HSW acting as a leader, will be integrated with Polish Rosomak 8×8 armoured vehicles, a local derivative of the Patria AMV 8×8 vehicles, as well as the future Borsuk tracked infantry fighting vehicle.
According to Ms. Monika Koniecko, Deputy Director of the HSW’s Sales Office, responsible for Marketing and PR, HSW continues discussion with Northrop Grumman for the commercial acquisition of technology required for setting up local production of Mk44S Bushmaster II chain guns. The Polish company is also interested in launching a local maintenance center for this gun system.
Production of Mk44S Bushmaster II chain guns in Poland will simplify the launch of the serial production of ZSSW-30 turret systems, as the Bushmaster chain gun is the main weapon system of the future ZSSW-30, along with a launcher for the Spike-LR ATGMs an a 7,62mm machine gun.
For many years HSW and Northrop Grumman cooperated in the development of the ZSSW-30 turret system, with the American company delivering a series of Mk44S Bushmaster II chain guns for the prototype versions of the turret system.