Alliant Techsystems, MINNEAPOLIS: Alliant Techsystems has successfully test-fired the newest member of its battle-proven Bushmaster Chain Gun family, the Lightweight 25mm (LW25). The tests were conducted at ATK's facility in Mesa, AZ.
The versatility of the LW25 will allow it to perform multiple missions, currently served by such weapons as a 50-caliber machine gun and 40mm grenade launcher. It is also compatible with ATK's Programmable Air Bursting Munition (PABM) to further enhance its effectiveness to defeat targets in trenches, behind walls, around corners and in other challenging environments.
“ATK's LW25 system gives the warfighter greater flexibility, increased lethality, and substantially higher reliability than many of the currently fielded weapon systems,” said Jim Cates, Vice President and General Manager, ATK Medium Caliber Systems. “The compact size and power of this gun system makes it ideal for ground vehicles, rotary wing aircraft, surface naval vessels and the Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS.).”
The LW25 is a dual feed weapon system with “first round select” which gives the warfighter the flexibility to instantaneously switch between two different types of ammunition. This feature is especially useful in urban environments. It has a Mean Rounds Between Stoppage (MRBS) in excess of 35,000 rounds and is designed for either remote or “manned” operation. In a remotely-operated configuration it is particularly well-suited for applications such as the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle (MRAP), where protection from IEDs is compromised when a soldier stands unprotected behind a ring-mounted gun.
The LW25 system includes a robust family of ATK LW25 ammunition, providing scaleable lethality from non-lethal to airburst. Additionally, the LW25 is capable of firing the current XM307 ammunition. The LW25 is also convertible to a .50cal Bushmaster compatible with all types of NATO .50 caliber ammunition, including the M903 Saboted Light Armor Penetrator (SLAP) round.
ATK is a $3.9 billion advanced weapon and space systems company employing approximately 16,500 people in 21 states.
