Reference articles on history, science, culture and more
Surprise meSurprise meSubscribe
Encyclopedia

Bushmaster IV

Chain-driven autocannon

Wikipedia contributorsAdapted for Fathomly · View authors
1 min read
Source updated April 10, 2025

The Bushmaster IV is a 40 mm chain-driven autocannon designed and built by Alliant Techsystems, based on the M242 Bushmaster, Bushmaster II and Bushmaster III. The Bushmaster IV fires 40×365mmR 3P (Prefragmented, Programmable, Proximity-fuzed), APFSDS-T Mk I, and APFSDS-T Mk II rounds. The 3P round will provide air burst capability and the APFSDS-T Mk II can penetrate armor with a thickness in excess of 150 mm (5.9 in).

01Specifications

The Bushmaster IV requires 5 hp (3.7 kW) at 24 volts to operate, fires from a cook off safe open bolt with absolute hangfire protection, and ejects forwards. It fires NATO standard 40×365mm ammunition from an integral linkless feed and has a recoil force of 62,272 N (13,999 lbf). The ammunition was originally developed for the Bofors 40mm L/70 cannon.

Watch videos about Bushmaster IVExplainers and documentaries on YouTube (opens in a new tab)

Sources and credits

This article is adapted from the Wikipedia article “Bushmaster IV”, written by its contributors and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Fathomly has changed the layout, removed citation markers, navigation and maintenance notices, and adjusted punctuation. This adapted version is shared under the same license. For references, see the original article.

Fathomly is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Wikimedia Foundation. Spotted a problem? Tell us.

Continue exploring

Related topics

M230 chain gun

The M230 Cannon is a 30 mm, single-barrel electrically-driven autocannon, using external electrical power (as opposed to recoil or expanding gas generated by the firing cartridge) to cycle the weapon between shots. It was designed and manufactured originally by Hughes Helicopters in Culver City, California.

M242 Bushmaster

The M242 Bushmaster chain gun is a 25 mm single-barrel chain-driven autocannon. It is used extensively by the U.S. military, such as in the Bradley fighting vehicle, as well as by other NATO members and some other nations in ground combat vehicles and various watercraft.

Mk44 Bushmaster II

The Mk44 Bushmaster II is a 30 mm chain gun manufactured by Northrop Grumman. It is a derivative of the 25 mm M242 Bushmaster, and uses 70% of the same parts as the M242 while increasing the firepower by as much as 50% with the 20% increase in caliber size.