M242 Removed from Bradley

[Tegyrius]

Here's an odd question for the ordnance gurus. Is it possible to dismount an M242 Bushmaster from an M2 Bradley, reassemble it, provide an external power source, and use it as a manually-aimed weapon in a fixed position? I'm aware of the naval variant that appears to be in a similar configuration, but I don't know if it's feasible to convert a standard ex-Bradley (or ex-LAV-25) gun to work that way.

- C.

[raketenjagdpanzer]

I would be shocked if removing the Bradley's autocannon wasn't field expedient. There have to be cases where that was considered a necessary issue. With that said, the feasibility of removing the gun and then reassembling it on another platform...hmm...

[dragoon500ly]

Originally Posted by Tegyrius

Here's an odd question for the ordnance gurus. Is it possible to dismount an M242 Bushmaster from an M2 Bradley, reassemble it, provide an external power source, and use it as a manually-aimed weapon in a fixed position? I'm aware of the naval variant that appears to be in a similar configuration, but I don't know if it's feasible to convert a standard ex-Bradley (or ex-LAV-25) gun to work that way.

- C.

The naval mounts are nothing more than a pedestal mount with a power hook-up, otherwise its identical to the M242, its supposed to have taken a gunner's mate all of an hour to modify and a Beltway Bandit over a year to validate......or at least that's the story!

[Panther Al]

Agreed:


Not a simple procedure, but with a decent shop and a decent set of tools, I don't see why it wouldn't be too large an issue based off of when I was looking over the mounts and the take down of the bushmaster when I was with the Cav. Of course, power, and recoil would have to be taken in account.

[HorseSoldier]

Yeah -- guys with scrapped Bradleys or other sources of M242s to scavenge from could make it happen with enough know how and equipment, but it wouldn't be anything that could happen without a machine shop and some free time.

[bobcat]

so my insane idea of putting a pair of 242's on a HEMMT gun truck could actually be feasible.

[Legbreaker]

What about just grafting the whole turret onto something else? M1 hull, truck, go cart, whatever is strong enough to carry it.

[pmulcahy11b]

Originally Posted by Tegyrius

Here's an odd question for the ordnance gurus. Is it possible to dismount an M242 Bushmaster from an M2 Bradley, reassemble it, provide an external power source, and use it as a manually-aimed weapon in a fixed position? I'm aware of the naval variant that appears to be in a similar configuration, but I don't know if it's feasible to convert a standard ex-Bradley (or ex-LAV-25) gun to work that way.

- C.

I haven't been able to find anything about the M242 being dismountable, but something like that...you probably just need to find a brainy enough gearhead and big enough pile of parts to build what you need.

[raketenjagdpanzer]

Hummer FSV :

[Panther Al]

I understand why the FSV was never put into service, but I would have really liked to have seen the kinks of the concept worked out as I think it would be a great addition to the light cav units to give them some very needed firepower in a package that doesn't let them think they are capable of taking tanks on face to face.

[Legbreaker]

If Oerlikon can develop the man portable (barely) Iltis 25mm infantry gun, then it shouldn't be too difficult to work the M242 into something similar.
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