M242 Bushmaster
| M242 Bushmaster | |
|---|---|
U.S. Army press photo of a M242 Bushmaster | |
| Type | Chain gun autocannon |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1981–present |
| Used by | See Operators |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Hughes Helicopters |
| Designed | 1976 |
| Manufacturer | Hughes Helicopters (1981–1985) McDonnell Douglas Helicopters (1985–2002) Alliant Techsystems (2002–2015) Orbital ATK (2015–2018) Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems (2018–present) |
| Produced | 1981–present |
| No. built | >11,000 |
| Variants | See variants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 119 kilograms (262 lb) |
| Length | 2,672 mm (105.2 in) |
| Barrel length | 2,175 mm (85.6 in) |
| Width | 318 mm (12.5 in) |
| Height | 373 mm (14.7 in) |
| 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. As of 2019, Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems produces the gun.
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), depending on the type of ammunition used. With over 11,000 units sold worldwide, it is one of the most successful modern autocannons.