30mm GAU-8/A Avenger
Overview
30mm GAU-8/A Avenger
A 30mm GAU-8/A Avenger gatling-type autocannon seen without feed system.
Source: General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems -
© Copyright lies with original owner
1980 (on Goalkeeper)
Avenger (official nickname)
Netherlands
South Korea
United Kingdom
Description
Introduction
The GAU-8 Avenger is a late Cold War era gatling-type autocannon of US origin. It was developed in the 1970's for aircraft use, but was also employed on the Dutch Goalkeeper close-in weapon system.
Design
The GAU-8 Avenger is a 7-barrel gatling-type autocannon. It is an externally powered weapon using electrically driven hydraulic motors. It is a single feed weapon that can use either belt feed or a linkless feed system. In practice the linkless feed system is used.
Firepower
The GAU-8 Avenger fires 30x173mm ammunition. Original brass and steel cased ammunition can be fired, although for aircraft use aluminum cased ammunition was introduced to reduce weight. Ammunition types include high explosive incendiary (HEI) and armor piercing, including a variant with depleted uranium core. Rate of fire is selectable at 2.100 or 4.200 rpm cyclic after spin-up of the barrel assembly. A modification for use on the A-10 introduced a fixed rate of fire of 3.900 rpm. Firing is normally done is short bursts. American tests indicate that accuracy and range are superior to the smaller caliber M61 Vulcan.
Platforms
The GAU-8 Avenger has been used in two iconic weapon systems. The best known is the A-10 Thunderbolt II (a.k.a. Warthog) ground attack aircraft. The GAU-8/A is the largest type of autocannon ever fitted to an aircraft. The recoil exceeds the thrust of the two engines on the A-10, reducing the airspeed while firing the gun. The other well known weapon system is the Dutch Goalkeeper close-in weapon system. This automated naval gun mount provides a last ditch defense against inbound anti-ship cruise missiles. The radar systems on mount even follow the trajectory of rounds fired for calibration and correction of fire.
Users
The A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft was acquired only by the United States. The Dutch Goalkeeper close-in weapon system was sold to various nations, mostly in Europe, but also in the Middle East, Asia and South America.
Details
Media
30mm GAU-8/A Avenger
A 30mm GAU-8/A Avenger and its associated feed system shown alongside a small car.
Source: US Air Force
Copyright: Public domain
30mm GAU-8/A Avenger
Pre-flight inspection of a 30mm GAU-8/A Avenger mounted in an A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft in 1992.
Source: US Air Force
Copyright: Public domain
30mm Goalkeeper
30mm Goalkeeper close in weapon system.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
30mm Goalkeeper
30mm Goalkeeper close in weapon system on HMS Invincible firing during an exercise.
Source: Royal Navy
Copyright: Open Government License
30mm Goalkeeper
30mm Goalkeeper close in weapon system.
Source: Royal Navy
Copyright: Open Government License
A-10 Thunderbolt II
An A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft seen firing its 30mm GAU-8/A Avenger autocannon in 2007.
Source: US Air Force
Copyright: Public domain
30mm GAU-8/A Avenger
A 30mm GAU-8/A Avenger seen mounted in an A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft.
Source: US Air Force
Copyright: Public domain
30mm GAU-8/A Avenger
Close-up of the barrel assembly of a 30mm GAU-8/A Avenger mounted in an A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft in 2008.
Source: Matthew Zalewski
Copyright: CC BY 3.0
A-10 Thunderbolt II
An A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft being loaded with 30x173mm ammunition for its GAU-8/A Avenger autocannon during Operation Desert Storm in 1990 or 1991.
Source: US Air Force
Copyright: Public domain
30mm GAU-8/A Avenger
A 30mm GAU-8/A Avenger seen on a display stand with feed chutes attached.
Source: UD DoD
Copyright: Public domain
Platforms
A-10 Thunderbolt II
The GAU-8/A Avenger was developed for use in the Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft, which was designed around this gun and feed system.
30mm Goalkeeper
The GAU-8 Avenger is used in the Dutch Goalkeeper close-in weapon system. The fire control radar also tracks the outbound 30mm rounds to correct its fire.
Related articles
20mm M61 Vulcan
The GAU-8/A Avenger is quite similar in function to the M61 Vulcan, but is a much larger gun firing more powerful ammunition. In testing against ground targets the GAU-8 was found to have more range and better accuracy than the Vulcan.
30mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-6-30
Soviet gatling-type autocannon of roughly similar size and caliber as the Avenger. Gas operated weapon resulting in a higher rate of fire. Deemed less successful in aircraft use, but widely applied in naval close-in weapon systems.