Engineering:Bushmaster III

From HandWiki
Bushmaster III
CV90 photo-003.JPG
CV9035 in Dutch service
TypeAutomatic cannon
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service2008–present[1]
Used byDanish Defence, Armed forces of the Netherlands, Estonian Defence Forces
Production history
ManufacturerAlliant Techsystems
Produced1998–present
Specifications
MassTotal: 480 lb (218 kg)
Barrel: 250 lb (113 kg)
Length158.19 in (4,018 mm)

Shell35 × 228 mm
50 × 228 mm
Calibre35 mm
ActionChain gun: open bolt, forward ejection
Rate of fireCyclic: 200 rounds/minute
Muzzle velocity1,180 m (3,871 ft) /s
Feed systemDual linked and linkless, 24 volts

The Bushmaster III is a 35 mm automatic/semi-automatic cannon designed and built by Alliant Techsystems, based on the 25 mm M242 Bushmaster. The weapon has been selected as primary armament for the CV9035 export versions of the CV90 infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) currently in service with the Danish, Dutch and Estonian armies.[2][3] The Bushmaster III is a chain gun, like the other members of the Bushmaster family, which grants it great dependability and safety from ammunition cook-off even though it does result in lower rates of fire. The caliber is the NATO standard 35×228 introduced by the Oerlikon KD in the 1950s.

50 mm version

The U.S. Army is testing the Bushmaster 50 mm cannon as a counter rocket, artillery, and mortar (C-RAM) and counter unmanned aerial vehicle (C-UAV) weapon. Initially developed under the Extended Area Protection and Survivability Integrated Demonstration (EAPS ID), it has been successfully tested in tracking distant moving targets using interferometric radar as a sensor, fire control computer, and radio frequency transmitter and receiver to launch a course-correcting projectile. The command guided interceptors have a thruster that receives commands for maneuvering and warhead detonation, with a tantalum-tungsten alloy liner to form forward propelled penetrators to defeat C-RAM targets, and steel body fragments to destroy UAVs.[4][5] The systems can destroy UAVs at a range of 1 km (0.62 mi) and at a height of 1,500 m (4,900 ft).[6] Converting the Bushmaster III to 50×228 mm can be accomplished by changing the barrel and a few key parts allowing it to fire the SuperShot 50 cartridge.

Specifications

  • Recoil: 14,000 lb/6300 kg
  • Weight:
Receiver: 150 lb/68 kg
Feeder: 80 lb/36 kg
Barrel: 250 lb/113 kg1
Total: 480 lb/218 kg
  • Rate of Fire: Semi-automatic or 200 rpm
  • Power Required: 3.0 horsepower (2.2 kW) at 24 volts
  • Clearing Method: Open Bolt, semi-closed bolt
  • Safety: Absolute hangfire protection
  • Case Ejection: Forward

1 Includes gun barrel, drive motor, recoil system and integral dual feeder.

See also

References

External links