The M242 Bushmaster is a U.S. 25x137 mm chain-driven autocannon used as the main gun on Bradley fighting vehicles and as the gun element in Mk 38 naval weapon systems. Its externally powered dual-feed design lets crews select ammunition types for direct fire against personnel, light armor, vehicles, and small surface threats; Ukrainian Bradley crews have used the Bushmaster in close-range fighting during the Russia-Ukraine War 2014-present.
Ukrainian M2 Bradley crews used the 25 mm Bushmaster cannon in direct-fire engagements during the Russia-Ukraine War 2014-present, including a documented January 2024 fight in which Bradleys disabled a Russian T-90M near Stepove.
The Bushmaster's dual-feed arrangement is central to how Bradley crews use it: one feed path can carry high-explosive ammunition while the other can carry armor-piercing ammunition, letting the gunner choose a better round for light armor, personnel, or exposed systems.
| Feature | Why it matters | Source-backed context |
|---|---|---|
| External power | The gun does not rely on gas or recoil energy to cycle. | Army training material frames the M242 around receiver, feeder, power-train, and cycle-of-function understanding. |
| Dual feed | Supports rapid selection between ammunition types. | TWZ's Ukraine analysis describes Bradley gunners selecting between high-explosive and armor-piercing sabot ammunition depending on target. |
| Selectable fire | Allows single or multiple-shot engagements. | The same Ukraine analysis highlights the rapid-fire effect of the Bushmaster during a close engagement with a T-90M. |
The M242 is most often distinguished by its installation: vehicle turret guns on Bradley-family and LAV platforms, and naval Mk 38 mounts that package the same 25 mm gun for ship self-defense.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bradley turret installation | Tracked fighting-vehicle main gun | Army reporting identifies the Bradley's fire-support armament as a 25 mm M242 Bushmaster chain gun, paired with TOW missiles and a 7.62 mm M240C machine gun. Sources: Over 100 Bradleys from 405th AFSB, TLSC-E issued to Cavalry Soldiers for Poland rotation |
| Mk 38 Mod 2 / Mod 3 installation | Shipboard 25 mm weapon-system gun | U.S. Navy and BAE Systems material describe Mk 38 as a 25 mm ship-defense weapon system; BAE's Mod 3 data sheet identifies the M242 Bushmaster as the main gun. Sources: MK 38 - 25 mm Machine Gun System, Mk 38 Mod 3 Machine Gun System - BAE Systems |
The cataloged Bradley-family vehicles use the M242 as the turret's 25 mm direct-fire gun alongside missiles and a coaxial machine gun.
| Carrier | Carrier type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Tracked infantry fighting vehicle | The Bradley's standard armament package includes a 25 mm M242 Bushmaster chain gun; the M2 Bradley record covers the troop-carrier IFV variant. Sources: Over 100 Bradleys from 405th AFSB, TLSC-E issued to Cavalry Soldiers for Poland rotation |
 | Tracked cavalry fighting vehicle | The M3 cavalry variant shares the Bradley-family 25 mm chain-gun armament while adapting the vehicle for reconnaissance and scout carriage. Sources: M2A3 and M3A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle Systems (BFVS) |
The M242 is a common gun element inside larger weapon systems. Ground vehicles use it for stabilized direct fire, while naval Mk 38 mounts adapt the same 25 mm class to ship self-defense against small surface threats.
| Installation | Documented role | Catalog context |
|---|---|---|
| M2 Bradley | 25 mm main gun for troop transport, fire support, and light-armor engagements. | M2 Bradley |
| M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicle | Bradley-family scout vehicle retaining the 25 mm chain-gun armament. | M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicle |
| Mk 38 naval weapon system | Shipboard 25 mm gun system for fast attack craft, fast inshore attack craft, and close surface threats. | Related naval mount; no separate catalog page in this record set. |
Army professional writing describes the introduction of the M242 25 mm automatic cannon in 1980.
Sources: M242 Bushmaster Gun Theory
TWZ analyzed video of Ukrainian Bradleys using the 25 mm Bushmaster in a close-range engagement with a Russian T-90M near Stepove.
Sources: Armor Experts Breakdown Video Of Ukrainian M2 Bradley Mauling Russian T-90M Tank
A U.S. Army article on M2A3 Bradleys in Europe identified the vehicle's 25 mm M242 Bushmaster chain gun, TOW launcher, and M240C machine gun.
Sources: Over 100 Bradleys from 405th AFSB, TLSC-E issued to Cavalry Soldiers for Poland rotation
The Army described TC 3-20.31-242 as a Bradley commander and gunner reference for M242 operation, maintenance, and crew mastery.
Sources: M242 Bushmaster Gun Theory
