page_title: M242 Bushmaster
section_title: Ammunition
hierarchical_section_title: M242 Bushmaster / Ammunition
caption_attribution_description: English: ADRIATIC SEA (May 29, 2009) Gunner's Mate 2nd Class Michael Miller downloads an ammo belt from an MK 38 25mm gun aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43). Fort McHenry is on a scheduled deployment with the Bataan Amphibious Readiness Group supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kristopher Wilson/Released)
context_page_description: The M242 Bushmaster chain gun is a 25 mm 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. It was designed and manufactured originally by Hughes Helicopters in Culver City, California. The company was acquired by McDonnell Douglas Helicopters in 1985, which merged into Boeing Corporation in 1997. In 2002, it was sold again to Alliant Techsystems, which merged with Orbital Sciences Corporation in 2015 to form Orbital Science ATK and was, in turn, bought out by Northrop Grumman in 2018. As of 2019, it is produced by Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems.
  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.
context_section_description: A wide range of ammunition has been developed for this weapon, providing it with the capability to defeat the majority of armored vehicles it is likely to encounter, up to and including some light tanks. The ammunition used in the M242 may also be used in a variety of weapons such as the GAU-12 Equalizer, the French Giat M811, or the Swiss Oerlikon KBA weapon system. It has the capability to fire U.S. manufactured ammunition as well as the NATO equivalents thereof. Primarily though, it fires six types of rounds: the M791, M792, M793, M910, MK210, and M919.
  M791 Armor-piercing discarding sabot with Tracer
  5.7 million rounds produced
  The APFSDS-T penetrates lightly armored vehicles, self-propelled artillery, and aerial targets such as helicopters and various slow-moving, fixed-wing aircraft.
  M792 High Explosive Incendiary with Tracer and Self Destruct
  5.5 million rounds produced
  The HEI-T can destroy unarmored vehicles and helicopters and suppress antitank missile positions and enemy squads out to a maximum effective range of 2,200 meters.
  M793 Target Practice with Tracer
  11.5 million rounds produced
  The TP-T cartridge is a fixed-type, percussion-primed training round that matches the High Explosive Incendiary with Tracer (HEI-T M792) round ballistically. The TP-T's tracer is visible out to 2,000 meters, however, the round has a maximum effective range (accuracy-limited) of 1,600 meters.
  M910 Target Practice Discarding Sabot with Tracer
  The TPDS-T replicates the flight pattern of the M791 Armor Piercing Discarding Sabot with Tracer (APDS-T) round. The TPDS-T allows units to realistically practice sabot engagements.
  MK210 High Explosive Incendiary with Tracer
  228,000 rounds produced
  Used by the U. S. Navy in their Mk38 naval weapon system.
  M919 Armor-Piercing, Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot With Tracer.
  The APFSDS-T round penetrates light armored vehicles, self-propelled artillery, and aerial targets, which includes helicopters and slow-moving fixed-wing aircraft. The dart is made of depleted uranium.
caption: MK210 High Explosive Incendiary with Tracer (HEI-T)
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