Munitions

Mk239 TP-T

Also known as
  • Mk239
  • Mk239 Mod 0
  • Mk239 TP-T
  • 30 mm Mk239 TP-T
  • 30x173mm Mk239 TP-T
  • 30mm x 173mm MK239 Mod 0 TP-T
  • DODIC AA90

The Mk239 TP-T is a U.S.-origin 30x173 mm target-practice tracer cartridge in the Bushmaster ammunition family. Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics describe it as a low-cost training round for Mk44-class 30 mm cannon applications, with ballistics matched to operational high-explosive tracer rounds so crews can train without firing live explosive ammunition.

Mk239 TP-T, 30 mm target practice tracer round, Munitions
Image source: 30x173mm Bushmaster Chain Guns
Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Type
30 mm target practice tracer round
Service note
Modern 30x173 mm Bushmaster training ammunition
Produced
Modern production
Developed from
30 mm PGU-15 TP

Specifications

NSN
1305-01-524-0220
DODIC
AA90
Caliber
30x173 mm
Cartridge length
290 mm
Projectile weight
372 g
Cartridge weight
675 g
Propellant
148 g single-base M36A2
Primer
Percussion
Muzzle velocity
3,435 fps (1,047 m/s)
Ballistic match
Mk266 HEI-T and Mk238 HEI-T/SD
Packaging
15-round linked belts; 30 rounds per M592 metal container
Variants

Mk239 TP-T is the training-tracer member of the 30x173 mm Bushmaster cartridge family rather than an explosive or programmable service round.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
Mk238 HEI-T/SD, 30 mm high explosive incendiary tracer round with self-destruct, MunitionsMk238 HEI-T/SDHigh-explosive incendiary tracer with self-destruct

Northrop Grumman lists Mk238 HEI-T/SD in the same 30x173 mm suite and identifies Mk239 TP-T as ballistically matched to it.

Sources: Northrop Grumman 30x173mm Full Ammo Suite Brochure

Mk266 Mod 1 HEI-T round, 30 mm high explosive incendiary tracer round, MunitionsMk266 Mod 1 HEI-THigh-explosive incendiary tracer

Northrop Grumman lists Mk239 TP-T as a ballistic match for Mk266 HEI-T, while Army ammunition references document Mk266 as another 30x173 mm shipboard gun-system round.

Sources: Northrop Grumman 30x173mm Full Ammo Suite Brochure, MK 266 Mod 1 HEI-T - PEO Ammunition

Mk310 PABM-T, 30 mm programmable air-burst munition with tracer, MunitionsMk310 PABM-TProgrammable air-burst munition with tracer

Mk310 PABM-T sits in the same Northrop Grumman 30x173 mm Bushmaster suite, but it is a programmable airburst service round rather than a target-practice cartridge.

Sources: Northrop Grumman 30x173mm Full Ammo Suite Brochure

Ammunition Family

Mk239 TP-T is one named cartridge in the broader 30x173 mm Bushmaster ammunition suite.

Compatible itemItem typeCompatibility evidence
30 x 173mm suite of ammunition, 30 mm ammunition family, Munitions30 x 173mm suite of ammunition30 mm ammunition family

Northrop Grumman's 30x173 mm Bushmaster family includes Mk239 TP-T, Mk238 HEI-T/SD, Mk266 Mod 1 HEI-T, and Mk310 PABM-T.

Sources: Northrop Grumman 30x173mm Full Ammo Suite Brochure

Firing Weapons

Northrop Grumman describes Mk239 TP-T for Mk44 cannons and other weapons firing 30x173 mm ammunition; the firing systems below are documented Mk44-class gun installations.

Firing weaponWeapon typeFiring evidence
DS30M 30 mm naval gun, Naval gun, Naval SystemsDS30M 30 mm naval gun30 mm naval gun mount

Northrop Grumman says Mk239 TP-T was developed for ground vehicle applications using Mk44 cannons or any cannon firing 30x173 mm ammunition, and MSI documents the DS30M/SEAHAWK DS A2 family with 30 mm cannon options and 400-round capacity.

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

MK 46 Mod 2 30mm GWS, 30 mm remote gun system, Naval SystemsMK 46 Mod 2 30mm GWS30 mm naval gun weapon system

The U.S. Navy identifies the MK 46 Mod 2 as a remotely operated Mk 44 Mod 2 30 mm gun system with a dual-feed 400-round magazine, matching the 30x173 mm Bushmaster ammunition-family context.

Sources: MK 46 - 30 mm Gun Weapon System, 30x173mm Bushmaster Chain Guns

Training Role And Compatibility

Mk239 TP-T gives 30x173 mm Bushmaster operators a non-explosive tracer round for gunnery training while preserving the sighting and trajectory assumptions used for service ammunition.

AspectDocumented contextOperational meaning
Training roleNorthrop Grumman identifies Mk239 TP-T as a target-practice tracer round derived from PGU-15 TP.Separates the training cartridge from explosive Mk238 and Mk266 service rounds.
Ballistic matchNorthrop Grumman lists Mk239 TP-T as a ballistic match for Mk266 HEI-T and Mk238 HEI-T/SD.Supports gunnery practice for crews using Mk44-family weapons.
Mk44-family applicationsThe 30x173 mm ammunition suite, DS30M naval mount, and MK 46 Mod 2 gun system frame Mk44-class 30 mm cannon compatibility.Connects the cartridge to firing systems without implying independent combat use.
Media

Mk239 TP-T Videos

Mk239 TP-T Images

Mk239 TP-T, 30 mm target practice tracer round, Munitions - view 1
Source: 30x173mm Bushmaster Chain Guns
Related Weapon Systems
M940 MPT-SD cartridge, 20 mm multi-purpose tracer self-destruct cartridge, MunitionsMunitionsM940 MPT-SD cartridge20 mm multi-purpose tracer self-destruct cartridgeThe M940 MPT-SD is a U.S. 20x102 mm multi-purpose tracer self-destruct cartridge for the land-based Phalanx / C-RAM firing chain. Northrop Grumman identifies M940-1 and M940-2 as C-RAM-fired rounds, Army ammunition material describes LPWS/C-RAM employing M940 against incoming rockets, artillery shells, and mortar rounds, and FY2027 budget material lists AC34 M940 w/MK7 Link procurement through Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics option lines.
30 mm x 165 HEI-T round, 30x165 mm high-explosive incendiary tracer cartridge, MunitionsMunitions30 mm x 165 HEI-T round30x165 mm high-explosive incendiary tracer cartridgeThe 30 mm x 165 HEI-T round is a Soviet-origin high-explosive incendiary tracer cartridge in the 30x165 mm autocannon family, with the 3UOR6 designation used for a closely documented Russian-service round. STV GROUP, MSM Group, Yugoimport, METIS, and ordnance references tie the cartridge family to 2A38, 2A42, and 2A72 automatic cannons, making the round relevant to BMP-2, BMP-3, BMD-family, BTR-80A, Tunguska, and other 30x165 mm gun platforms.

Sources

30x173mm Bushmaster Chain GunsPublisher: Northrop Grumman | Note: Supports the official 30x173 mm Bushmaster ammunition family context, compatible gun-family framing, manufacturer background, official video context, and product images used on this page. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Northrop Grumman 30x173mm Full Ammo Suite BrochurePublisher: Northrop Grumman | Note: Supports the Mk239 TP-T designation, 30 mm target practice tracer role, ballistic match data, cartridge dimensions, propellant data, PGU-15 TP development context, and adjacent 30x173 mm family rows. | Accessed: 2026-06-29General Dynamics 30mm x 173mm Ammunition Suite for MK44 CannonPublisher: General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems | Note: Supports independent Mk44 ammunition-suite context and identifies Mk239 TP-T as a low-cost training round in the 30x173 mm family. | Accessed: 2026-06-29MK 266 Mod 1 HEI-T - PEO AmmunitionPublisher: PEO Ammunition / U.S. Army | Note: Supports adjacent-family context for Mk266 Mod 1 HEI-T as a 30x173 mm cartridge used in shipboard gun-system service. | Accessed: 2026-06-29MK 46 - 30 mm Gun Weapon SystemPublisher: U.S. Navy | Note: Supports the MK 46 Mod 2 Mk 44 cannon relationship, remote gun-system context, dual-feed magazine, and 400-round capacity used for naval compatibility. | Accessed: 2026-06-29MSI-DS SEAHAWK DS A2Publisher: MSI-Defence Systems | Note: Supports the DS30M/SEAHAWK DS A2 naval mount context, cannon option framing, and 400-round ammunition capacity relationship. | Accessed: 2026-06-291305-01-524-0220, CARTRIDGE,30 MILLIMETER,PRACTICEPublisher: NSN Now | Note: Supports the Mk239 TP-T NSN, DODIC AA90, belt-linking, and packaging data. | Accessed: 2026-06-29