Mk 38 machine gun
| M242 Bushmaster | |
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| Type | Chain gun |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1972–present |
| Used by | See operators |
| Production history | |
| Designer | McDonnell Douglas |
| Manufacturer | Alliant Techsystems |
| No. built | 10,500+ |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 119 kilograms (262 lb) |
| Length | 2,527 mm (99.5 in) |
| Barrel length | • Overall: 2,672 mm (105.2 in) • Bore: 2,175 mm (85.6 in) |
| Width | 318 mm (12.5 in) |
| Height | 373 mm (14.7 in) |
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| Shell | 25×137 mm |
| Caliber | 25 millimetres (0.98 in) caliber |
| Barrels | Single barrel (progressive RH parabolic twist) |
| Rate of fire | • Cyclic: 200rpm with 1hp or 500rpm with 8hp |
| 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 is a 25 mm (25×137mm) chain-driven . It is used extensively by the U.S. military, as well as by NATO's and some other nations' forces in ground combat vehicles, such as the Bradley fighting vehicle and various watercraft. Originally the weapon was designed and manufactured by Hughes Ordnance in Culver City, California, which was acquired by McDonnell Douglas (later acquired by the Boeing Corporation); however it is now produced by Alliant Techsystems (ATK) of Mesa, Arizona.
It is an externally powered, chain-driven, single-barrel weapon which 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 slow-flying aircraft). It can also suppress enemy positions such as 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 3,000 metres (9,800 ft), depending on the type of ammunition used. With over 10,000 units sold worldwide, it is one of the most successful modern autocannons.
The Bushmaster project started as an offshoot of the US Army's MICV-65 program that was attempting to introduce a new infantry fighting vehicle to replace their existing M113s. Part of this program called for a new scout vehicle to replace the M114, a parallel development taking place under the XM800 Armored Reconnaissance Scout Vehicle. Both the XM800 and the cavalry version of the XM701 MICV vehicles were armed with the M139, a US-built version of the Hispano-Suiza HS.820 20 mm . During the testing phase, the Army eventually rejected the XM701 and started work on a newer design known as the XM723. Soon after the XM800 was also rejected. This led to the combination of the two programs, moving the scout role to the cavalry version of the XM723.
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