Mk238 HEI-T/SD

Also known as

30 mm x 173 HEI-T/SD
30x173mm HEI-T/SD
Mk238 HEI-T
30 mm high-explosive incendiary tracer with self-destruct

Northrop Grumman's Mk238 HEI-T/SD is a 30x173 mm high-explosive incendiary tracer cartridge with self-destruct, built for the Bushmaster ammunition family. Northrop Grumman says the round is used in Mk44 guns or any cannon firing 30x173mm ammunition, which covers the Mk44 installed in MSI's DS30M naval mount.

Mk238 HEI-T/SD, 30 mm high explosive incendiary tracer round with self-destruct, Munitions

Image source: 30x173mm Bushmaster Chain Guns

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin: United States
Built by: Northrop Grumman
Type: 30 mm high explosive incendiary tracer round with self-destruct
Service note: Modern 30x173mm Bushmaster ammunition family
Produced: Modern production

ammunition autocannon high explosive incendiary tracer

Specifications

Caliber: 30x173 mm
Cartridge length: 290 mm
Cartridge weight: 655 g
Projectile weight: 362 g
Propellant weight: 148 g
Muzzle velocity: 3,540 fps / 1,079 mps
Dispersion: 1.0 mr max
Trace time: 4.7 sec min

Firing Weapons

Northrop Grumman places Mk238 HEI-T/SD in the 30x173mm Bushmaster ammunition family for Mk44 guns and related mounts.

Firing weapon

Weapon type

Firing evidence

DS30M 30 mm naval gun, Naval gun, Naval Systems

DS30M 30 mm naval gun

30 mm naval gun mount

Northrop Grumman says Mk238 HEI-T/SD is used in the Mk44 or any cannon firing 30x173mm ammunition, and MSI identifies the DS30M family with the Mk44 cannon.

Sources: Northrop Grumman 30x173mm Full Ammo Suite Brochure, MSI-DS SEAHAWK DS A2

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Ammunition used in Mk44 Bushmaster chain guns and related 30x173mm mounts such as the DS30M naval gun.

Media

Mk238 HEI-T/SD Images

Mk238 HEI-T/SD, 30 mm high explosive incendiary tracer round with self-destruct, Munitions - view 1 — Source: 30x173mm Bushmaster Chain Guns

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Sources

30x173mm Bushmaster Chain GunsPublisher: Northrop Grumman | Note: Supports official image provenance, 30x173mm Bushmaster family background, and the Mk44 cannon context used for Mk238 HEI-T/SD. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Northrop Grumman 30x173mm Full Ammo Suite BrochurePublisher: Northrop Grumman | Note: Supports the Mk238 HEI-T/SD designation, cartridge dimensions and weights, muzzle velocity, trace time, and self-destruct ammunition-family context. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 MSI-DS SEAHAWK DS A2Publisher: MSI-Defence Systems | Note: Supports the DS30M Mk 44 cannon context and the naval mount compatibility relationship. | Accessed: 2026-06-27