BAE Systems Introduces Sea Tridon 40mm Naval Gun with 3P Ammunition to Counter Drones and Missile Threats.

BAE Systems unveiled its Sea Tridon 40mm naval gun family at Euronaval 2026 on November 3, offering warships and commercial vessels stronger protection against drones, anti-ship missiles, and fast attack craft. Combining proven Bofors firepower, programmable 3P ammunition, and advanced fire control, the modular system delivers rapid, precise defense against emerging threats at sea.

BAE Systems unveiled its Sea Tridon family of modular 40mm naval guns at Euronaval 2026, combining Bofors 40 Mk4 technology, programmable 3P ammunition and advanced fire-control systems to protect warships and commercial vessels against drones, anti-ship missiles and fast attack craft (Picture Source: Army Recognition Group)

Modern naval warfare is facing an increasingly complex threat environment, with drones, anti-ship missiles and fast attack craft challenging traditional maritime defenses. At Euronaval 2026, on November 3, BAE Systems unveiled its new Sea Tridon family of modular 40 mm naval weapon systems. According to the company's official announcement, the new solutions combine proven Bofors gun technology with advanced 3P programmable ammunition to strengthen maritime protection against emerging threats.

Sea Tridon Brings Modular Firepower and Advanced Protection to Modern Naval Platforms

Developed by BAE Systems Bofors, the Sea Tridon family represents a significant evolution in naval self-defense, bringing together four complementary weapon configurations built around proven Bofors 40 mm technology. Derived from the ground-based TRIDON concept, Sea Tridon combines the Bofors 40 Mk4 naval gun with an integrated electro-optical fire-control system, enabling independent target detection, tracking and engagement without relying on external sensors. Featuring gyro stabilization, advanced target-intercept calculations and a 30-round ready-use magazine, the system is designed to provide rapid and accurate firepower against airborne and surface threats. Its compact architecture and simplified integration requirements make it particularly relevant for naval operators seeking to strengthen existing vessels without extensive modifications, while maintaining commonality in training, logistics and technical support across the wider weapon family.

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A particularly important development is Sea Tridon C, a containerized configuration designed for rapid deployment aboard military, government and commercial vessels requiring temporary or mission-specific protection. Its modular architecture incorporates increased ammunition capacity, below-deck loading, flexible command-and-control arrangements and optional surveillance radar integration, providing an adaptable defensive capability for ships operating in high-risk maritime environments. This approach is especially valuable for vessels not originally designed to accommodate advanced naval defense systems. The family also includes Sea Trinity, the most advanced configuration, integrating radar-based fire control with the 40 mm gun and programmable ammunition to form a close-in weapon system designed to counter missiles, drones and other high-speed threats. Completing the family, the Bofors 40 Mk4 naval gun provides a compact weapon solution integrated with a ship's combat management system. This common technological foundation supports simplified training, logistics and maintenance across different naval platforms.

Bofors 3P Programmable Ammunition Strengthens Counter-Drone and Close-In Naval Defense

At the heart of the Sea Tridon family is BAE Systems' Bofors 3P ammunition, whose name stands for Pre-fragmented, Programmable and Proximity-fuzed. Available in 40 mm and 57 mm calibers, this advanced ammunition introduces exceptional operational flexibility through six programmable fuze modes, allowing weapon systems to optimize their effects against different targets. Each round is individually programmed immediately before firing, using continuously updated information from the fire-control computer. This capability enables operators to rapidly adapt ammunition effects without switching between different ammunition types, reducing logistical complexity and improving responsiveness. Its proximity-fuzed and airburst capabilities are particularly important against small unmanned aerial systems, maneuvering aircraft, incoming missiles and fast-moving surface targets, while retaining the ability to engage shore-based threats. By combining precise fire control with adaptable ammunition effects, BAE Systems provides naval forces with a versatile solution for increasingly demanding combat scenarios.

The operational significance of this technology is particularly evident as navies confront the proliferation of unmanned aerial vehicles, loitering munitions and coordinated attacks involving multiple low-cost threats. Such challenges place increasing pressure on conventional ship-defense systems, particularly when expensive interceptor missiles must be employed against comparatively inexpensive targets. Sea Tridon offers a valuable gun-based component within a layered maritime defense architecture, potentially preserving higher-value missile inventories for threats requiring longer-range interception. The ability to adapt ammunition functions, combined with independent electro-optical fire control and flexible deployment options, could strengthen the survivability of combat vessels, auxiliary ships and commercial maritime platforms. BAE Systems also supports operational effectiveness assessments through its GRINDSTONE simulation software, while the NATO procurement framework for Bofors 40 mm 3P ammunition further reinforces its relevance to allied naval operators. Together, these capabilities demonstrate how established Bofors technology can evolve to address the changing realities of naval warfare.

The unveiling of Sea Tridon at Euronaval 2026 highlights BAE Systems' continued commitment to developing adaptable naval protection technologies capable of responding to contemporary and future maritime threats. By combining the proven Bofors 40 Mk4 gun, advanced 3P programmable ammunition and modular deployment configurations, the company is offering naval operators a flexible approach to strengthening shipboard defense. As drones, missiles and unconventional surface threats become increasingly prominent in maritime operations, systems capable of delivering rapid, precise and adaptable firepower will play an essential role in layered naval protection. Sea Tridon positions BAE Systems to meet this growing requirement with a family of weapon solutions designed to enhance operational flexibility, strengthen vessel protection and support maritime security in an increasingly contested environment.

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Written by Teoman S. Nicanci – Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group

Teoman S. Nicanci holds degrees in Political Science, Comparative and International Politics, and International Relations and Diplomacy from leading Belgian universities, with research focused on Russian strategic behavior, defense technology, and modern warfare. He is a defense analyst at Army Recognition, specializing in the global defense industry, military armament, and emerging defense technologies.