How much recoil does a GAU 8 have?
The average recoil force of the GAU-8/A is 10,000 pounds-force (45 kN), which is slightly more than the output of each of the A-10’s two TF34 engines of 9,065 lbf (40.3 kN). While this recoil force is significant, in practice a cannon-fire burst slows the aircraft by only a few miles per hour in level flight.
What is the Gau 8 Rate of fire?
3,900 rounds per minute
The AN/GAU-8 Avenger 30mm gun system was specifically built to serve as a Close Air Support “Tank Buster” for the U.S. Air Force. Similar to the earlier M61 20mm Vulcan design, the Avenger uses seven barrels to achieve a rate of fire of 3,900 rounds per minute.
How much does an A-10 slow down when firing?
There is a popular myth that the A-10 can “almost come to a complete stop” from firing a long cannon burst. While the 30mm cannon in the A-10 is large and impressive, this story is false. Even when firing long bursts, there is no measurable reduction of air-speed.
How powerful is the GAU 8 Avenger?
The GAU-8/A is extremely accurate and can fire up to 3,900 rounds per minute without complications. The 30-mm shell has twice the range, half the time to target, and three times the mass of projectiles fired by guns mounted in comparable close air support aircraft.
How many rounds does the GAU-8 carry?
1,174 rounds
How many rounds does the GAU-8/A carry into battle and for how long can it fire continuously? The magazine can hold 1,174 rounds, although 1,150 is the typical load-out. The Avenger’s rate of fire was originally selectable, 2,100 rounds per minute (rpm) in the low setting, or 4,200 rpm in the high setting.
What does Gau stand for in GAU-8?
Gatling AUtocannon
GAU is an acronym for “Gatling AUtocannon”, “Gun, AUtomatic”, or “Gun Aircraft Unit”?
What gun does a warthog use?
Affectionately called the “A-10 Warthog” for its aggressive look and often painted with teeth on the nose cone, the A-10 Thunderbolt II is the U.S. Air Force’s primary low-altitude close air support aircraft. The A-10 is perhaps best known for its fearsome GAU-8 Avenger 30mm gatling gun mounted on the nose.