Gatlings

Gatlings refers to a class of rapid-fire projectile weapons characterized by a rotating cluster of barrels. The most iconic example is the Gatling gun, invented by Richard Gatling in 1861. This early machine gun utilized a hand crank to rotate the barrels, which simultaneously fed cartridges, fired, and ejected spent casings. This mechanical rotation allowed for a much higher rate of fire than single-barreled firearms of the era.

The Gatling gun saw limited use during the American Civil War but gained more prominence in later conflicts. Its design, while effective for its time, was heavy and required manual operation. Modern firearms inspired by the Gatling principle have evolved significantly. Today, the term "Gatling" is often used colloquially to describe any rotary-barreled automatic weapon, even those powered by external sources like electricity or hydraulics.

These modern Gatling-style weapons, such as the M61 Vulcan cannon, are commonly found on aircraft and naval vessels. They achieve extremely high rates of fire, measured in thousands of rounds per minute. The principle of multiple rotating barrels remains central, providing a continuous firing capability by distributing the heat and stress across several barrels, allowing each to cool between shots. Despite the technological advancements, the fundamental concept of a rotating multi-barrel assembly for rapid fire persists.