The M240 is a modern American 7.62mm medium machine gun. The total weight of the weapon (in the M240B version) is 12.5 kilograms, the total length is 126 cm, and the width is 12 centimeters. The effective range of this weapon when firing a bipod is 800 meters, and the maximum shot - about 3700 meters. The theoretical maximum rate of fire is 950 rounds per minute, and the muzzle velocity is about 850-900 m / s.
The M240 is essentially an American version of the Belgian FN MAG machine gun developed by Ernest Vervier in the 1950s. The principle of operation of this weapon was based on the discharge of gunpowder gases through the side opening in the barrel, and the designer used many solutions used in such rifles as the American BAR or the German MG42. Ultimately, a very successful weapon was created, which found its way into the equipment of dozens of countries around the world! For standardization purposes, the FN MAG was adapted to the use of NATO 7.62 x 51 mm ammunition. The same cartridge is also used by the M240, which entered service with the US armed forces in the 1980s, most often replacing the M60 rifle. The M240 rifle was used in combat, among others, in both Gulf wars (1990-1991 and 2003) or in the course of operations in Afghanistan (since 2001).
The M242 Bushmaster is a modern American 25mm autocannon. The total weight of the weapon is 119 kilograms, the overall length is 253 cm, and the width is 31.8 centimeters. The effective range of this weapon is 3,000 meters, and the maximum shot - 6,800 meters. The maximum rate of fire is 500 rounds per minute, with the muzzle velocity reaching 1360 m / s. The M242 Bushmaster was developed at McDonnell-Douglas, but its current production is the responsibility of Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems. The design of the cannon was created at the turn of the 1960s and 1970s, and the first copies of this weapon entered service around 1972. The gun was originally developed as the primary armament of the new M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle (IFV). It is worth noting that Eugene Stoner took part in the development of this weapon - the same one who developed the M16 rifle. Several variants of the M242 were produced in the course of serial production, such as: the Mk.44 Bushmaster II (30 mm caliber) or the Mk.38 (marine version). At present, the M242 Bushmaster is used by M2 / M3 Bradley and LAV-25 vehicles.