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Subject:
Chain guns.. (new can o' worms...)
doggtag
8/12/2004 5:26:54 PM
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I know that the USMC LAV (APC) and the BFV series both use the M242 Bushmaster 25mm chain gun (as well as the USN's limited number of Mk 38 guns).
Are there any concerns in the USMC that address future upgunning of the LAV? I believe the FCS is mostly an Army program, but certainly could see the USMC expessing interest in the future if the systems work right.
I was just curious about how well the USMC likes their LAVs' capabilities. And I know the USN's new San Antonio-class amphibious ships mount the Mk46 weapon system, a stabilized turreted Mk44 30mm chain gun, which has considerably improved performance over the 25mm. And the new AAAV also carries the Mk 44 30mm chain gun, which uses the same ammo as the naval gun.
I was just curious if the USN was "suggesting" any commonality, meaning that the LAV could considerably benefit from the improved performance of the 30mm gun, which does have a potent APFSDS round available.
It also amazes me that, even though the chain gun family has been tested on the BFV in all its variants: 25, 30, 35, 40, and 50mm, that the US Army never decided to increase the gun caliber on the Bradley, especially when the majority of adversary fighting IFV/CFV-type vehicles do mount 30mm weapons (BMP series, etc), or even 40mm in the next generation.
link
then look under "Gun Systems".
Alliant Tech currently has the Bushmaster programs under its roof, after acquiring the group from Boeing..
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