Description
U.S. 25mm Dummy Cartridge Painted as M792 HEI-T
Product Overview
This U.S. 25×137mm dummy cartridge is painted to represent the M792 High-Explosive Incendiary–Tracer round. Its yellow projectile, red band, metallic-colored tip, and olive-drab case recreate the service ammunition's appearance. It offers a display example of the 25mm ammunition family associated with the M242 Bushmaster cannon and Bradley Fighting Vehicle.
Identification and Features
- Cartridge type: U.S. 25×137mm dummy.
- Hand Painted Replication: M792 High-Explosive Incendiary–Tracer, abbreviated HEI-T.
- Projectile finish: Yellow body with a red band and metallic-colored tip.
- Case finish: Olive drab.
- Base feature: Recessed central insert consistent with the enlarged primer opening and filler arrangement described for the M794 dummy.
Function
This design provided a reusable cartridge for crew training and non-firing weapon checkout. Representative ammunition allowed personnel to practice handling and check ammunition-feeding equipment without conducting a firing exercise. In this painted configuration, the cartridge also illustrates the external appearance of the M792 service round for a collection or educational display.
Product History
Army records date the round's standardization to December 1981, during the introduction of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle family. The new 25mm weapon system required support ammunition alongside its combat cartridges. This supplied a dedicated dummy for instruction and equipment checks, making it part of the training system developed around the M242 cannon during the Army's modernization in the early 1980s.
Documented End-Item Applications
This dummy round is documented for the M242 Bushmaster 25mm automatic cannon. Army applications include the M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle and M3 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicle. The Marine Corps also used the M242 on the LAV-25 Light Armored Vehicle. These applications connect the cartridge family with both Army tracked vehicles and Marine Corps wheeled armor.
Equipment History
Army manual TM 43-0001-27 describes the standardized the dummy round as having a steel projectile body and steel cartridge case, with inert epoxy resin filling the case. This construction gave the dummy the configuration and approximate weight needed to represent service ammunition during handling. The durable design supported repeated use, making the round a practical training and checkout item within the 25mm ammunition family.
M792 Service-Round History
The M792 was developed as the high-explosive incendiary cartridge in the original Bradley ammunition family. Its intended targets included personnel, light vehicles, and similar lightly protected targets. The service design combined explosive and incendiary effects with a tracer to help crews observe the projectile's flight. Its yellow-and-red projectile scheme provided a visible identity for the ammunition type, which is reproduced on this dummy.
Weapon System Background
The M242 Bushmaster is an externally powered chain gun, with a motor-driven chain cycling its action. It became the main cannon of the Bradley family, supporting the M2's infantry-carrying role and the M3's cavalry scouting role. The Marine Corps LAV-25 paired the same cannon with a wheeled vehicle suited to reconnaissance and mobile fire support. A shared weapon and ammunition family brought related training needs across these different platforms.
History of Use
Bradley and LAV-25 vehicles served during the 1991 Gulf War and the 2003 Iraq War, carrying the M242 into major U.S. military operations. Their crews also required regular instruction and weapon checks away from combat. The M794's continued inclusion in Army ammunition manuals records the dummy cartridge's place in that support work, alongside the live ammunition used for gunnery training and service.
Condition
All ordnance is inert. Please check the pictures for the general condition of the item.
Ideal For
This hand painted dummy round suits a display about the Bradley, LAV-25, or M242 Bushmaster ammunition family. Its M792 appearance makes it useful for explaining the colors and form of the HEI-T service cartridge through an inert example. It also complements a collection showing the different roles of combat, practice, and dummy ammunition.
- Bradley Fighting Vehicle and LAV-25 collections.
- M242 Bushmaster ammunition displays.
- Educational exhibits about military ammunition identification.
- Collections of inert dummy and training cartridges.
Approx length 8.5", Approx width 1.5", Approx height 1.5", Approx weight 1.1lbs.
Please visit our page about order lead times here: Order Lead Times.