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GPU-5



Overview


GPU-5/A

GPU-5/A pod under the wing of an A-7 Corsair.
Source: Bill Spidle @ www.primeportal.net - © copyright lies with original owner

Origin
United States
Type
Gun pod
Entered service
1980's
Status
Limited service
Development
Late 1970's
Developer
United States - General Electric
Production
Early 1980's - ?
Producer
United States
Designations
GEPOD 30 (development name)
Pave Claw (popular nickname)

Description


Introduction

The GPU-5 is a large and powerful gun pod of US origin. It was developed in the late 1970's by General Electric to provide fighter aircraft with a similar capability as the A-10 Thunderbolt with its enormous 7-barrel GAU-8/A Avenger autocannon. The GPU-5 is one of the most powerful gun pods in existence which comes at the cost of enormous weight and serious recoil. For those reasons the GPU-5 never became popular.

Description

The GPU-5 is a round pod which mounts a single four barrel GAU-13/A autocannon which spans the entire length of the pod. The GPU-5 requires no external power since a pneumatic drive unit is located at the rear behind the gun. The ammunition is stored in a two layer helical linkless feed system which is located around the barrel in the forward half of the pod. Spent cases are reinserted in the feed system. Recoil adapters located in the strongback absorb most of the massive recoil.

Firepower

The GPU-5 is armed with a single four barrel GAU-13/A autocannon that uses the same range of 30x173mm ammunition as used in the larger GAU-8/A Avenger. The GAU-13/A has a rate of fire of 2.400 rpm and has a spin up time of 0.4 seconds. The 30mm rounds are able to penetrate the top armor of any vehicle. The maximum effective range is 3 km against area targets and over 1 km versus a single vehicle.

Platforms

The GPU-5 has been tested on the A-4 Skyhawk, A-7 Corsair, F-4 Phantom, F-5 Tiger, F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon. Of these platforms the F-16 is the most common user of the GPU-5. The primary user of the GPU-5 is the US Air Force. The GPU-5 has been exported to several US allies and remains available.

Details


Facts GPU-5/A
General
Origin
United States
Type
Gun pod
Platforms
Aircraft
Dimensions
Length
4.2 m
Diameter
0.61 m
Weight
866 kg loaded
624 kg empty
Lug spacing
762 mm
Armament
Type
30mm GAU-13/A 4-barrel autocannon
Ammunition
353 rounds
Accuracy
6 milliradians diameter for 80 percent circle

Media