M242 Bushmaster

M242 Bushmaster
U.S. Army press photo of a M242 Bushmaster
TypeChain gun
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service1981–present
Used bySee Operators
Production history
DesignerHughes Helicopters[1][2]
Designed1976
ManufacturerHughes 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]
Produced1981–present
No. built>11,000[4]
VariantsSee variants
Specifications
Mass119 kilograms (262 lb)[4]
Length2,672 mm (105.2 in)[4]
Barrel length2,175 mm (85.6 in)
Width318 mm (12.5 in)[4]
Height373 mm (14.7 in)[4]

Shell25 × 137 mm
BarrelsSingle barrel (progressive RH parabolic twist)
ActionExternally powered, chain driven, open bolt
Rate of fireCyclic: 200 rpm with 1 hp or 500 rpm with 8 hp
Muzzle velocity1,100 metres per second (3,600 ft/s)
Effective firing range3,000 metres (9,800 ft)
Maximum firing range6,800 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, 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]

  1. ^ a b c Chinn, George M., 1987, pp. 455–456.
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference babel was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b c d e "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.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "Northrop Grumman M242 25mm BUSHMASTER chain gun fact sheet" (PDF). 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 April 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  5. ^ "M242 Bushmaster 25mm Automatic Gun". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 6 June 2023.