Weapon Name- 40mm Bofors Chain Gun- CT40 cannon
Round Type- 40mm Bofors Telescopic Case
Over-all length- 169.5 inches (4318mm)
Barrel length- 110 inches (2800mm)
Weight- 1000 lb (454 kilograms)
Rate of Fire- 100/200 RPM (depends on setting)
Feed Mechanism- Belt Fed
Round Capacity- Unlimited, 2000 rounds (5000 pounds)
Effective Range- L/70: 12,500 m (41,000 ft), Aircraft, 8000 meters Anti-Tank and APC
Range- L/70: 12,500 m (41,000 ft), Aircraft, 8000 meters Anti-Tank and APC
Accuracy- N/A
Accessories- N/A
Quick switch firing mechanism- N/A
Scope/Sights- N/A
Muzzle Velocity- L/70: 1,021 m/s (3,350 ft/s)
Firing System- Chain Gun, similiar to Mk44 Bushmaster II
Miscellaneous/electronic information- Essentially a heavily modified Mk44 Bushmaster II, intended to use the 40mm bofors rounds and based off of the CT40 cannon utilizing telescopic casings.
Basic Information
The weapon is essentially identical to the Mk44 Bushmaster II and CT40 cannon, except that it is significantly larger, and fires the 40mm bofors cartridge; this system is based on the Bushmaster IV series of weapons. The weapon is over twice as large, and the barrel is 110 inches, as compared to 94.88 inches (2,410 mm) for the Mk44 Bushmaster II. However, because of the lighter, telescopic cased ammunition, the entire weapon does not need to be substantially longer or larger in order to load in the rounds. The shorter case also reduces the weight and size of the round somewhat, to around half it's previous weight and volume.
This means that twice as many rounds can be stored within the same amount of space and weight. Like the Mk44 Bushmaster II, it's RPM is only some 100/200 RPM depending on the setting, which is significantly slower than the L70 40mm bofors. Despite this, it is significantly lighter weight, and could theoretically be transported into combat with only a light carriage.
Due to the high power of the 40mm, and the high reliability and low weight of chain guns, the weapon system, relative to it's weight, is incredibly powerful and versatile. While it has a substantially lower volume of fire than some chain guns or the equivalent L70 series of weapons, it's extremely high power has devastating effects on aircraft, light APC's, soft skinned vehicles, and even more heavily armored medium grade tanks; particularly more important than this, is range, so that the rounds can actually engage aircraft at altitude. It can penetrate over 150mm of armor, has air bursting capabilities, and in addition can take down both light and heavy aircraft. The rounds are nearly 870 grams each, or are roughly 2 pounds, and are filled with well over a pound of explosive. They travel at approximately 1020 m/s, and produce nearly 450,000 joules of energy. This is 2.5 times more powerful than 30mm x 173mm weapons, 9 times more energy than 20mm x 102mm cartridges, and 23 times the power of .50 caliber ammunition.
With it's high RPM it can destroy virtually any light or medium vehicles in addition to aircraft. In addition, it can utilize newer, more powerful armor piercing and programmable ammunition, such as in the Combat Vehicle 90. Like the Bushmaster IV, what the 40mm promises is the ability to get through virtually any light APC or armored vehicle (compared to the 30mm, which many vehicles are designed specifically to stop) and the ability to take down aircraft without the need for a role-specific anti-air vehicle. The versatility and small size of the 40mm bofors chaingun allows nearly any vehicle outfitted with it, be it a light tank or APC, and to be able to not only effectively engage nearly any armored threat, but replace the role of traditional anti-aircraft vehicles. When used in conjunction with anti-air missile weaponry, it can significantly increase the effectiveness of the entirety of the armed forces against air threats and reduce the total numbers needed to do so. With nearly every APC (such as a Stryker or MRAP) outfitted with a 40mm bofors cannon, infantry not only are protected against light threats like with most infantry fighting vehicles, but aircraft as well. The sheer numbers that can be deployed along side regular armored vehicles, in addition to it's effectiveness, has the potential to dramatically transform the battlefield.
