"M242" redirects here. For the Israeli Jeep derivative, see AIL Storm § Storm II.
M242 Bushmaster
U.S. Army press photo of a M242 Bushmaster
Type
Chain gun
Place of origin
United States
Service history
In service
1981–present
Used by
See Operators
Production history
Designer
Hughes Helicopters[1][2]
Designed
1976
Manufacturer
Hughes Helicopters (1981–1985)[1][3] McDonnell Douglas Helicopters (1985–2002)[3] Alliant Techsystems (2002–2015)[3] Orbital ATK (2015–2018)[3] Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems (2018–present)[3]
Produced
1981–present
No. built
>11,000[4]
Variants
See variants
Specifications
Mass
119 kilograms (262 lb)[4]
Length
2,672 mm (105.2 in)[4]
Barrel length
2,175 mm (85.6 in)
Width
318 mm (12.5 in)[4]
Height
373 mm (14.7 in)[4]
Shell
25 × 137 mm
Barrels
Single barrel (progressive RH parabolic twist)
Action
Externally powered, chain driven, open bolt
Rate of fire
Cyclic: 200 rpm with 1 hp or 500 rpm with 8 hp
Muzzle velocity
1,100 metres per second (3,600 ft/s)
Effective firing range
3,000 metres (9,800 ft)
Maximum firing range
6,800 metres (22,300 ft)
The M242 Bushmaster chain gun is a 25 mm (25×137mm) single-barrel chain-driven autocannon. It is used extensively by the U.S. military, such as in the Bradley fighting vehicle, as well as by other NATO members and some other nations in ground combat vehicles and various watercraft. Hughes Helicopters in Culver City, California, was the original designer and manufacturer.[1][2] As of 2019[update], Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems produces the gun.[4]
It is an externally-powered, chain-driven, single-barrel weapon that may be fired in semi-automatic, burst, or automatic modes. It is fed by a metallic link belt and has dual-feed capability. The term chain gun derives from the use of a roller chain that drives the bolt back and forth. The gun can destroy lightly armored vehicles and aerial targets (such as helicopters and other slow-flying aircraft). It can also apply suppression fire against exposed troops, dug-in positions, and occupied built-up areas. The standard rate of fire is 200 rounds per minute. The weapon has an effective range of 2,000 metres (6,600 ft),[5] depending on the type of ammunition used. With over 11,000 units sold worldwide, it is one of the most successful modern autocannons.[4]
^ abcChinn, George M., 1987, pp. 455–456.
^ abCite error: The named reference babel was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ abcde"Trademark Assignment Abstract of Title". United States Patent and Trademark Office. 12 November 2018. Archived from the original on 7 May 2016. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
^ abcdefg"Northrop Grumman M242 25mm BUSHMASTER chain gun fact sheet" (PDF). 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 April 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
^"M242 Bushmaster 25mm Automatic Gun". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
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The Bushmaster III is a 35 mm automatic/semi-automatic cannon designed and built by Alliant Techsystems, based on the 25 mm M242Bushmaster. The weapon...
derived from the M242Bushmaster III, a 35mm chain gun derived from the M242Bushmaster IV, a 40mm chain gun derived from the M242Bushmaster (DC Comics),...
surface threats, especially small, fast surface craft. It consists of an M242Bushmaster chain gun mounted on a turret that can be either manually or remote...
Turkey. The system can be fitted with either a 25 mm Oerlikon KBA or a M242Bushmaster autocannon. The weapon is mounted on a stabilized pedestal mounting...
more modern version of the 35 mm Bushmaster III chain gun, which itself is a larger version of the 25 mm M242Bushmaster cannon. Although its shells, 50...
be carried by the weapons systems mounting them. Both the US 25 mm M242Bushmaster and the British 30 mm RARDEN have relatively slow rates of fire so...
the chain gun. The Bradley is equipped with the 25 mm M242Bushmaster as its main weapon. The M242 is a single-barrel chain gun with an integrated dual-feed...
Carrier) - The basic IFV variant fitted with a turret and armed with a M242Bushmaster, a coaxial C6 GPMG, and a roof mount for another C6 GPMG or C9A2. LAV...
carriers. The LAV III is fitted with a two-man turret, armed with the M242Bushmaster 25 mm caliber chain gun and a coaxial 7.62-mm machine gun. One more...
Infantry Carrier Vehicle – US Army Stryker infantry carrier vehicle M242Bushmaster Mechanized infantry MICV-65 – US Army project leading to development...
Salamander Books. ISBN 0-86101-675-0. U.S. Army Field Manual 3-22.1 Northrop Grumman - Bushmaster Chain Guns and Automatic Cannons U. S. Army TACOM-RI...
(Infantry Fighting Vehicle) and is fielded with the same two-man 25-mm Bushmaster Cannon turret with a coaxial M240C 7.62-mm machine gun. It only varies...
including the: CPWS20 20 mm; CPWS 25 mm which can be armed with the M242Bushmaster, Nexter M811, or Oerlikon KBA; and CPWS30 armed with the M230LF. K200:...
creating a precision guided munition. Production started in 2009. The M242Bushmaster is a 25 mm (25×137mm) chain-fed autocannon. It is used extensively...
Type Oerlikon KBA Switzerland Rheinmetall AG 25×137mm Autocannon M242Bushmaster United States Hughes Helicopters 25×137mm Chain gun GAU-12/22 Equalizer...
the Bison APC and the Australian ASLAV. The Coyotes mount a 25×137mm M242Bushmaster chain gun. The main gun and coax machine gun are 2-axis stabilized...
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