Talk:GAU-8 Avenger

"It is also said that this is to deal with the substantial deceleration of the plane that results from firing. This is however a myth (see below)."

That's a bit confusing. The plane *does* decelerate from firing the weapon, as the myth buster itself points out. The myth is actually that the plane would fly backwards/stop the plane.

" It is the largest (it is the size and weight of a family saloon car), heaviest and most powerful aircraft gun in the United States military."- What about the howitzer on the AC-130? --I think the logic is "gun intended for an aircraft", because the 105mm gun on the AC-130 is the old gun from the M1A1 Abrams.

Actually the average recoil force is found to be 44.5kN[1] These facts come from straight the producer; General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products (GDATP)--Mad Max 19:04, Nov 21, 2004 (UTC)

Tweaked the section about the myth further. While the product homepage states the recoil force at 44.5 kN, I think there is he possibility that they made an error when converting from Pounds to kN (if they did that). The measurment "10 000 Pounds" only holds one significant digit while 44.5kN holds three. I compromised by stating 45kN in the article. --J-Star 13:00, 2004 Nov 23 (UTC)

Spinning

How are the barrels rotated? Electrical, hydraulic, gas-actuated? How long is typical spin-up time? --Andrew 09:57, Apr 11, 2005 (UTC)

Q. How are the barrels rotated?

A. The rotational force is delivered by two hydraulic drive motors operating off of both main aircraft hydraulic systems (A+B). The motors deliver their torque to gearbox in the Hydraulic drive assembly. This in turn delivers the force to two drive shafts. The forward one goes to the rotor assembly on the GAU-8 itself, while the second delivers it's power to the ammunition drum.

Q. How long is typical spin-up time?

A. While the system is capable of operating at 4200 rounds per minute, it is limited to 3900 while installed in the aircraft. Since the GAU-8 has 7 barrels it needs to spin at 1/7th of the firing rate. Basically since it's rotating a touch over 550 rpm the spin-up time is almost instantaneous.

On another point the statement on the gun gas on affecting the engines is complete rubbish. During the firing of the GAU-8 the engines ingest so much gun gas that the engine igniters (think super spark plugs) must fire to ensure a stall does not occur. The engines also will ingest so much soot from the firings that they need to be "water washed" (have water and a mild cleaning solution misted into the engines while running at approx. 80% power) periodically to remove soot from the blades. Anyone who has had to clean an A-10 will tell you the gun gas goes just about everywhere aft of the nose.

How does a 30mm compare to a .50 calibre?

Which is more powerful?