Bushmaster III
CV9035 in Dutch service
Type	Automatic cannon
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	2008–present[1]
Used by	Danish Defence, Armed forces of the Netherlands, Estonian Defence Forces
Production history
Manufacturer	Alliant Techsystems
Produced	1998–present
Specifications
Mass	Total: 480 lb (218 kg) Barrel: 250 lb (113 kg)
Length	158.19 in (4,018 mm)
Shell	35 × 228 mm 50 × 228 mm
Caliber	35 mm
Action	Chain gun: open bolt, forward ejection
Rate of fire	Cyclic: 200 rounds/minute
Muzzle velocity	1,180 m (3,871 ft) /s
Feed system	Dual linked and linkless, 24 volts

The Bushmaster III is a 35 mm automatic/semi-automatic cannon designed and built by Alliant Techsystems, based on the 25 mm M242 Bushmaster. The weapon has been selected as primary armament for the CV9035 export versions of the CV90 infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) currently in service with the Danish, Dutch and Estonian armies.^[2][3] The Bushmaster III is a chain gun, like the other members of the Bushmaster family, which grants it great dependability and safety from ammunition cook-off even though it does result in lower rates of fire. The caliber is the NATO standard 35×228 introduced by the Oerlikon KD in the 1950s.

50 mm version

The U.S. Army is testing the Bushmaster 50 mm cannon as a counter rocket, artillery, and mortar (C-RAM) and counter unmanned aerial vehicle (C-UAV) weapon. Initially developed under the Extended Area Protection and Survivability Integrated Demonstration (EAPS ID), it has been successfully tested in tracking distant moving targets using interferometric radar as a sensor, fire control computer, and radio frequency transmitter and receiver to launch a course-correcting projectile. The command guided interceptors have a thruster that receives commands for maneuvering and warhead detonation, with a tantalum-tungsten alloy liner to form forward propelled penetrators to defeat C-RAM targets, and steel body fragments to destroy UAVs.^[4][5] The systems can destroy UAVs at a range of 1 km (0.62 mi) and at a height of 1,500 m (4,900 ft).^[6] Converting the Bushmaster III to 50×228 mm can be accomplished by changing the barrel and a few key parts allowing it to fire the SuperShot 50 cartridge.

Specifications

• Recoil: 14,000 lb/6300 kg
• Weight:

Receiver: 150 lb/68 kg

Feeder: 80 lb/36 kg

Barrel: 250 lb/113 kg¹

Total: 480 lb/218 kg

• Rate of Fire: Semi-automatic or 200 rpm
• Power Required: 3.0 horsepower (2.2 kW) at 24 volts
• Clearing Method: Open Bolt, semi-closed bolt
• Safety: Absolute hangfire protection
• Case Ejection: Forward

¹ Includes gun barrel, drive motor, recoil system and integral dual feeder.