The U.S. Army is modernizing its firepower with the 50mm XM913 cannon mounted on the XM30 combat vehicle.
The XM913 Bushmaster 50mm cannon system marks a breakthrough in firepower for the XM30 combat vehicle series, replacing the M2 Bradley with superior combat capabilities.
The U.S. Army has begun receiving the first 50mm XM913 Bushmaster howitzers for testing on the next-generation XM30 infantry fighting vehicle. This is a significant effort to replace the aging M2 Bradley, moving towards a modular design with improved firepower and survivability.
XM913 Bushmaster artillery technology
The XM913 is the largest medium-caliber artillery piece in the Bushmaster series developed by Northrop Grumman. This weapon uses 50 x 228 mm ammunition, providing significantly greater destructive power than existing systems. Weighing approximately 314 kg, the XM913 is designed for mounting on heavy infantry fighting vehicles and various other mobile platforms.
The XM913's strengths lie in its external drive system and tightly controlled firing cycle. This mechanism ensures high accuracy and maintains weapon stability even when the vehicle is moving at high speeds. This is an improvement over traditional artillery designs, which often struggle to maintain accurate fire density during mobile operations.
Integrated on the XM30 platform and development partners.
The XM30 program (formerly the OMFV - Optional Man-Operated Combat Vehicle) is currently integrating the XM913 gun into prototypes developed by General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) and Rheinmetall. The modular architecture of the XM30 allows for flexible upgrades, enabling the military to easily adapt to new future threats.
In addition to the main contractors, Elbit Systems of America also participated in the project with its UT50 unmanned turret. This system is equipped with an XM913 cannon and a large-capacity ammunition handling system. The UT50 turret has completed live-fire demonstrations, proving its flexible weapon configuration and reliability in real combat conditions.
History of testing and prospects
The development of the XM913 underwent several rigorous testing phases. Northrop Grumman showcased the system at the AUSA 2019 exhibition, based on the Bushmaster III 35/50 design. In 2021, the US Army continued testing the XM913 artillery system on the LAV 700 8x8 vehicle as part of the Convergence 21 project.
The involvement of major defense corporations such as BAE Systems, Curtiss-Wright Corporation, and QinetiQ Limited demonstrates the importance of the next-generation combat vehicle project. With the delivery of the first 16 XM913 cannons from Northrop Grumman, the US Army is accelerating its roadmap for officially deploying this advanced weapon, creating a landmark change for its armored forces.
