GAU-8 Avenger

The GAU-8 Avenger

The GAU-8 Avenger is an Gatling type autocannon. It has 7 barrels and is mounted inside the American A-10 attack aircraft, as well as forming the basis of the Dutch Goalkeeper CIWS. Originally, it was capable of firing 4,200 rounds per minute in the high setting or 2,100 rpm in the low setting. This has since been changed to a fixed rate of 3,900 rpm. It is chambered for the 30x173mm cartridge. It has a muzzle velocity of 1,070 meters per second -- well over Mach 3. It is designed specifically for the antitank role. It is capable of penetrating 69mm of armor at 500 meters, and 38mm of armor at 1,000 meters. Its recoil force is 10,000 pounds force (45 kN).When mounted upon the A10 it Is mounted slightly off centre so that the recoil from such a powerful system doesn't affect the plane while it's firing. The spent shells eject back into the ammunition drum, partly as a safety measure because of the risk of the large shells going into the engine intakes, when mounted on the A-10.

• Some of its technology has been transferred to the 25mm GAU-12/U Equalizer.
• The GAU-13/A is a 4 barreled derivation of the GAU-8.