Description
25mm Oerlikon Target Practice Discarding Sabot Round for the M242 Bushmaster, 25x137mm
Item Overview
This 25mm Oerlikon Target Practice Discarding Sabot round was made for training with automatic cannons chambered for 25x137mm ammunition, including the M242 Bushmaster.
The round uses a smaller practice projectile held inside a lightweight sabot. After leaving the barrel, the sabot separates from the projectile. This design allowed crews to practice firing high-velocity sabot ammunition without using an armor-piercing service projectile.
This listing is for one 25x137mm round. The M242 cannon, ammunition link, vehicle, and other accessories are not included unless pictured or specifically stated.
Identification and Features
- Caliber: 25x137mm
- Manufacturer/brand: Oerlikon
- Type: Target Practice Discarding Sabot
- Common abbreviation: TPDS
- Primary application: M242 Bushmaster 25mm automatic cannon
- Other compatible weapon family: Oerlikon KBA 25mm cannon
- Purpose: Cannon training and system testing
- Projectile design: Subcaliber practice projectile carried inside a discarding sabot
The 25x137mm cartridge family was developed for use in modern vehicle and naval automatic cannons. Ammunition in this caliber was designed for reliable feeding through dual-feed weapon systems and was produced in combat and training configurations.
Historical Background
Development of the modern 25x137mm cannon family began during the 1960s. Oerlikon helped develop the ammunition and later produced the gas-operated KBA 25mm cannon. The United States selected the externally powered M242 Bushmaster in 1977 for its new infantry fighting vehicle program.
The M242 entered service with the M2 and M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles during the early 1980s. It was later used on the LAV-25, the Mk 38 naval gun system, and other armored and maritime platforms.
The M242 uses a chain-driven action and dual-feed system. This allows the operator to select between two types of linked ammunition. Its 25x137mm ammunition family includes high-explosive, armor-piercing, multipurpose, and target-practice cartridges.
Discarding-sabot training ammunition gave crews a practical way to learn the sight settings, recoil, feeding, and flight characteristics associated with high-velocity sabot rounds. The practice projectile did not contain the costly armor-piercing core used in combat ammunition.
Condition
Please review the product pictures for the represented condition, markings, finish, and configuration of this military-surplus round. Age-related finish wear, handling marks, discoloration, or other storage wear may be present.
No claim about the round’s inert status, tracer contents, primer, propellant, or internal components should be made unless confirmed by the product markings or stated elsewhere on the product page.
Ideal For
- 25mm ammunition collections
- M242 Bushmaster displays
- M2 and M3 Bradley vehicle exhibits
- LAV-25 and Mk 38 armament collections
- Oerlikon KBA cannon displays
- Modern automatic-cannon research
- Military museums and educational exhibits
Approx length 9", Approx width 1.5", Approx height 1.5", Approx weight .8lbs.
Pictures are stock images of our inventory. Unless otherwise noted, you will not be receiving the exact item shown in the pictures. The pictures are representative of the item's general condition. The item you receive might be slightly better, or worse, condition than was shown in the pictures.
Please visit our page about order lead times here: Order Lead Times