30 mm GAU-8/A seven-barrel Gatling gun

Fact Sheet.

.....The GAU-8/A produced by General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products (GDATP) is a 30mm Gatling gun that is installed on the U.S. Air Force's A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft and the Navy's Goalkeeper Close-In Weapon System. The GAU-8/A provides a reliable, high-rate-of-fire, combat proven weapon for close air support and shipboard defense missions. Each of the gun's seven barrels contains its own breech bolt assembly, which fires once per gun revolution. This ensures long barrel life because firing loads are distributed over all seven barrels. Continuous rotary motion reduces impact loads on gun components, leading to long parts life and high reliability. The A-10 aircraft is specifically designed to provide close air support. The GAU-8/A gun provides rapid response to threats that are in close proximity to friendly ground forces and is well suited for engagements inside missile envelopes.

Specifications

Gun type: Seven-barrel, 30mm, externally powered Gatling gun

Weight: 620 pounds (281 kg)

Rate of fire: Up to 4,200 shots per minute

Dispersion: 5 milliradians diameter, 80 percent circle

Muzzle velocity: 3,400 feet (1,036m) per second

Average recoil force: 10,000 pounds (44.5 kN)

Drive system: Hydraulic, electric, pneumatic

Feed system: Linked or linkless