M242 Bushmaster - Ammunition

Ammunition

A wide range of ammunition has been developed for this weapon, providing it with the capability to defeat the majority of armored vehicles it is likely to encounter, up to and including some tanks. The ammunition used in the M242 may also be used in a variety of weapons such as the GAU-12 Equalizer, the French Giat M811, or the Swiss Oerlikon KBA weapon system. It has the capability to fire U.S. manufactured ammunition as well as the NATO equivalents thereof. Primarily though, it fires six types of rounds: the M791, M792, M793, M910, MK210, and M919.

1. M791 Armor Piercing Discarding Sabot with Tracer
   • 5.7 million rounds produced
   • The APDS-T penetrates lightly armored vehicles, self-propelled artillery, and aerial targets such as helicopters and various slow-moving, fixed-wing aircraft.
2. M792 High Explosive Incendiary with Tracer and Self Destruct
   • 5.5 million rounds produced
   • The HEI-T can destroy unarmored vehicles and helicopters and suppress antitank missile positions and enemy squads out to a maximum effective range of 2,200 meters.
3. M793 Target Practice with Tracer
   • 11.5 million rounds produced
   • The TP-T cartridge is a fixed-type, percussion-primed training round that matches the High Explosive Incendiary with Tracer (HEI-T MK210) round ballistically. The TP-T's tracer is visible out to 2,000 meters, however, the round has a maximum effective range (accuracy-limited) of 1,600 meters.
4. M910 Target Practice Discarding Sabot with Tracer
   • The TPDS-T replicates the flight pattern of the M791 Armor Piercing Discarding Sabot with Tracer (APDS-T) round. The TPDS-T allows units to realistically practice sabot engagements.
5. MK210 High Explosive Incendiary with Tracer
   • 228,000 rounds produced
   • Used by the U. S. Navy in their Mk38 naval weapon system.
6. M919 Armor-Piercing, Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot With Tracer.
   • The APFSDS-T round penetrates light armored vehicles, self-propelled artillery, and aerial targets, which includes helicopters and slow-moving fixed-wing aircraft. the dart is made of depleted uranium.