M242 Bushmaster

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]