The guided missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63) fires a round from one of her two MK-45 5-inch guns during a joint exercise with vessels assigned to the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Carrier Strike Group. The MK-45 lightweight gun provides surface combatants accurate naval gunfire against fast, highly maneuverable surface targets, air threats and shore batteries during amphibious operations. - DefenseLINK