GAU8

The GAU-8 Avenger is a 30 mm seven-barrel Gatling-type autocannon developed by General Electric for the United States Air Force. It is mounted on the A-10 Thunderbolt II and serves as the aircraft’s primary armament for close air support. The gun is designed to deliver a high volume of fire to defeat armored vehicles and suppression targets at relatively short ranges, contributing to the A-10’s distinctive ground-attack role.

Design and operation

The GAU-8 is driven by a hydraulic system that rotates the seven barrels while firing. This arrangement enables a high rate of fire, typically around 3,900 rounds per minute, with some configurations pushing rates higher. Muzzle velocity is about 1,013 meters per second. Ammunition is belt-linked and loaded from an onboard drum-fed system with a capacity of roughly 1,200 rounds, supporting sustained fire during ground-attack missions. The gun is mounted in the left side of the aircraft, with the muzzle protruding to provide direct targeting access.

Ammunition

The GAU-8 fires 30x173 mm rounds in several variants, including armor-piercing/incendiary and high-explosive types. Historically, armor-piercing rounds containing depleted uranium were used to improve penetration against armored targets; more recent stocks emphasize non-DU alternatives for safety and environmental considerations.

Operational use

In combat, the GAU-8 has been employed to destroy tanks, armored vehicles, and fortified positions, and to suppress ground fire. Its combination of high rate of fire and substantial projectile energy makes it effective for close air support, though performance is constrained by weapon range and ammunition availability.

Operators and service

The GAU-8 is in service with the United States Air Force, primarily aboard the A-10 Thunderbolt II. It is widely associated with the aircraft’s CAS mission and remains a defining element of its combat capability.