Both of the A-X prototypes, the YA-10 and the Northrop YA-9, were designed to incorporate the weapon, although it was not available during the initial competition the M61 Vulcan was used as a temporary replacement. The specification for the cannon was laid out in 1970, with General Electric and Philco-Ford offering competing designs. The GAU-8 was created as a parallel program with the A-X (or Attack Experimental) competition that produced the A-10. The GAU-8/A is currently produced by General Dynamics. The GAU-8/A is also used in the Goalkeeper CIWS ship weapon system, which provides defense against short-range threats such as highly maneuverable missiles, aircraft, and fast maneuvering surface vessels. Designed to destroy a wide variety of ground targets, the Avenger delivers very powerful rounds at a high rate of fire. The General Electric GAU-8/A Avenger is a 30 mm hydraulically driven seven-barrel Gatling-style autocannon that is primarily mounted in the United States Air Force's Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II. (ammunition drum off right edge of photo)ħ-barrel (progressive RH parabolic twist, 24 grooves) Įlectrically controlled, hydraulic-driven The GAU-8/A Avenger's barrel and breech assembly
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