Metal barrel for the
The M242 Bushmaster is an American 25mm autocannon from the Cold War and modern times. Work on this weapon began in the 1960s, and it entered service with the US Army in 1972 and remains in it today. Hughes was responsible for its development and production, but in 1984 it was taken over by the McDonnell-Douglas concern. Currently, Northrop-Grumman is responsible for the development of weapons. The total mass of the cannon is 119 kilograms, and its length is 2.672 meters, with the barrel length being 2.175 meters. The maximum rate of fire is up to 500 rounds per minute, and the initial velocity of the bullet fired from this cannon is up to 1100 m / s. The maximum range is about 6,500 meters, while the effective range of the shot does not exceed 3,000 meters. The cannon uses 25x137 mm ammunition and can fire various types of shells, for example: M791 (APDS-T shell), m792 (HEAT-SD shell) or M919 (APFSDS-T). The M242 Bushmaster cannon is used on such vehicles as: M2 / M3 Bradley or LAV-25. It is assumed that due to reliability and ballistic parameters, it is currently one of the best cannons in its class in the world.
The M240 is a modern American 7.62mm medium machine gun. The total weight of the weapon (in the M240B version) is 12.5 kilograms, the total length is 126 cm, and the width is 12 centimeters. The effective range of this weapon when firing a bipod is 800 meters, and the maximum shot - about 3700 meters. The theoretical maximum rate of fire is 950 rounds per minute, and the muzzle velocity is about 850-900 m / s.
The M240 is essentially an American version of the Belgian FN MAG machine gun developed by Ernest Vervier in the 1950s. The principle of operation of this weapon was based on the discharge of gunpowder gases through the side opening in the barrel, and the designer used many solutions used in such rifles as the American BAR or the German MG42. Ultimately, a very successful weapon was created, which found its way into the equipment of dozens of countries around the world! For standardization purposes, the FN MAG was adapted to the use of NATO 7.62 x 51 mm ammunition. The same cartridge is also used by the M240, which entered service with the US armed forces in the 1980s, most often replacing the M60 rifle. The M240 rifle was used in combat, among others, in both Gulf wars (1990-1991 and 2003) or in the course of operations in Afghanistan (since 2001).
