The 35mm Bushmaster cannon incorporates all of the battle-proven features of the 25mm Bushmaster Chain Gun cannon. The weapon is capable of being converted to fire 50mm Supershot ammunition.

Late in 1989, the then McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems, today The Boeing Company, announced that it was developing, as a private venture, a new 35 mm weapon which would capitalise on technology developed for the 25 mm M242 Chain Gun® cannon. This weapon is currently in service with the US Army, Navy and Marine Corps and with Australia (LAV-25), Canada (LAV-25), Colombia, Kuwait (Desert Warrior), Singapore (Bionix) and Saudi Arabia (LAV-25 and M2 Bradley).

The result of this programme is the 35 mm/50 mm Bushmaster III automatic cannon, which can fire 35 mm or 50 mm ammunition with minor modifications, including a barrel change. The weapon was first fired in May 1990 using standard Oerlikon Contraves 35 mm ammunition.

The 35 mm/50 mm Bushmaster III automatic cannon will have ammunition interoperability with the German Rheinmetall 35 mm/50 mm cannon which is covered in detail in a separate entry.

The initial development firing of this system is now complete and vehicle integration trials have been taken place with the weapon installed in a Bradley M2A2.

According to the manufacturer, initial testing has shown that the Bushmaster III has the same outstanding reliability and durability as the 25 mm M242.

Possible future applications for this weapon are as the Future Infantry Fighting Vehicle, Future Scout Cavalry System/Tactical Reconnaissance Combat Armoured Equipment Requirement, Bradley fighting vehicle as well as naval applications.

By early 1997, the first prototype of this weapon had undergone company trials both from a hardstand and as installed in a standard Bradley M2A2 turret. Several vehicle manufacturers are now conducting installation studies of this weapon system.

Included in: Product Amount CV9035 Mk III (Infantry fighting vehicle) 1

Last Contracts: Qnt. Customer Value Add Date (Close Date) Unit Cost 150 $40.000.000 Apr 2005 (Dec 2010) $266,667 Average Unit Cost: $266,667