Difference between revisions of "GAU-8/A (30 mm)"

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(→‎Available ammunition: Updated)
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* {{Specs-Link|a_10a_early}}
 
* {{Specs-Link|a_10a_early}}
 
* {{Specs-Link|a_10a_late}}
 
* {{Specs-Link|a_10a_late}}
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* {{Specs-Link|a_10c}}
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
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=== Available ammunition ===
 
=== Available ammunition ===
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<!--
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<!-- ''Describe the shells that are available for the weapon and their features and purpose. If it concerns autocannons or machine guns, write about different ammo belts and what is inside (which types of shells).'' -->
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''Describe the shells that are available for the weapon and their features and purpose. If it concerns autocannons or machine guns, write about different ammo belts and what is inside (which types of shells).'' -->
 
  
 
* '''Default:''' {{Annotation|HVAP-T|High-velocity armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEI|High-explosive incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HVAP-T|High-velocity armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEI|High-explosive incendiary}}
 
* '''Default:''' {{Annotation|HVAP-T|High-velocity armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEI|High-explosive incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HVAP-T|High-velocity armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEI|High-explosive incendiary}}
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* '''Air targets:''' {{Annotation|HVAP-T|High-velocity armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEI|High-explosive incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEI|High-explosive incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEI|High-explosive incendiary}}
 
* '''Air targets:''' {{Annotation|HVAP-T|High-velocity armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEI|High-explosive incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEI|High-explosive incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEI|High-explosive incendiary}}
 
* '''Stealth:''' {{Annotation|HVAP|High-velocity armour-piercing}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEI|High-explosive incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HVAP|High-velocity armour-piercing}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEI|High-explosive incendiary}}
 
* '''Stealth:''' {{Annotation|HVAP|High-velocity armour-piercing}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEI|High-explosive incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HVAP|High-velocity armour-piercing}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEI|High-explosive incendiary}}
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{{:{{PAGENAME}}/Ammunition|HVAP-T, HEI, HVAP}}
  
 
=== Comparison with analogues ===
 
=== Comparison with analogues ===
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== History ==
 
== History ==
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''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the weapon and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>.''
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<!-- ''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the weapon and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>.'' -->
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One of the most powerful aircraft cannons to ever take to the skies, the GAU-8/A Avenger developed specifically for use on [[A-10A]] Thunderbolt II better known as the "Warthog". The A-X program that produced the A-10 was first conceived in September of 1966 when the Air Force recognized a gap in their close air support capabilities for escort and fire suppression and created the A-X program office to develop the specifications for the new aircraft. The request for proposals came out on March 6th, 1967 and specified a 30 mm rotary cannon armament that the aircraft would be designed around. Intended for destroying Soviet armour, the 30 mm cannon received an RFP with specifications of a high muzzle velocity and a rate of fire of 4,000 rounds per minute. General Electric and Philco-Ford both submitted designs for the competition which General Electric won. The Avenger is only one part of a much larger gun assembly that includes a feed system, ammunition drum, and two independent hydraulic motors to power the gun. The complete assembly is officially designated the A/A 49E-6 Gun System and the A-10 is truly built around bringing this beast of a weapon to battle. Making up 16% of the Thunderbolt's unladen weight, the plane requires a special jack for stability when the Avenger is removed for maintenance.
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The Avenger is mounted just slightly off-axis to port in order to prevent the recoil from hampering the accuracy of fire during an attack run. The GAU-8/A takes half a second to reach the top firing speed, fires depleted uranium armour-piercing shells for destroying tanks, and can be 80% accurate when firing at 40 foot diameter circle while flying at 4,000 feet. For protection, both the gun and ammo drum are protected by armour designed to detonate enemy shells before they damage the internal components.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==

Latest revision as of 02:59, 26 October 2024

Description

The 30 mm GAU-8/A is an American rotary autocannon.

Vehicles equipped with this weapon

General info

Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the cannon or machine gun.

Available ammunition

  • Default: HVAP-T · HEI · HVAP-T · HEI
  • Ground targets: HVAP-T · HEI · HVAP · HVAP
  • Air targets: HVAP-T · HEI · HEI · HEI
  • Stealth: HVAP · HEI · HVAP · HEI

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
HVAP-T 79 77 68 58 50 43
HEI 8 8 7 6 5 4
HVAP 79 77 68 58 50 43
Shell details
Ammunition Velocity
(m/s) 		Projectile
mass (kg) 		Fuse delay
(m) 		Fuse sensitivity
(mm) 		Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g) 		Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
HVAP-T 980 0.43 - - - 66° 70° 72°
HEI 1,020 0.38 0.2 0.1 92.8 79° 80° 81°
HVAP 980 0.43 - - - 66° 70° 72°

Comparison with analogues

Give a comparative description of cannons/machine guns that have firepower equal to this weapon.

Usage in battles

Describe the cannon/machine gun in the game - its distinctive features, tactics of usage against notable opponents. Please don't write a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Extremely high rate of fire
  • Decent armour penetration
  • Effective against all types of vehicles (ground, air, or naval)

Cons:

  • High rate of fire requires trigger discipline

History

One of the most powerful aircraft cannons to ever take to the skies, the GAU-8/A Avenger developed specifically for use on A-10A Thunderbolt II better known as the "Warthog". The A-X program that produced the A-10 was first conceived in September of 1966 when the Air Force recognized a gap in their close air support capabilities for escort and fire suppression and created the A-X program office to develop the specifications for the new aircraft. The request for proposals came out on March 6th, 1967 and specified a 30 mm rotary cannon armament that the aircraft would be designed around. Intended for destroying Soviet armour, the 30 mm cannon received an RFP with specifications of a high muzzle velocity and a rate of fire of 4,000 rounds per minute. General Electric and Philco-Ford both submitted designs for the competition which General Electric won. The Avenger is only one part of a much larger gun assembly that includes a feed system, ammunition drum, and two independent hydraulic motors to power the gun. The complete assembly is officially designated the A/A 49E-6 Gun System and the A-10 is truly built around bringing this beast of a weapon to battle. Making up 16% of the Thunderbolt's unladen weight, the plane requires a special jack for stability when the Avenger is removed for maintenance.

The Avenger is mounted just slightly off-axis to port in order to prevent the recoil from hampering the accuracy of fire during an attack run. The GAU-8/A takes half a second to reach the top firing speed, fires depleted uranium armour-piercing shells for destroying tanks, and can be 80% accurate when firing at 40 foot diameter circle while flying at 4,000 feet. For protection, both the gun and ammo drum are protected by armour designed to detonate enemy shells before they damage the internal components.

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to the article about the variant of the cannon/machine gun;
  • references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

  • topic on the official game forum;
  • other literature.


USA aircraft cannons
20 mm  AN/M2 · Browning-Colt Mk12 Mod 0 · Browning-Colt Mk12 Mod 3 · FMC T-160
  M3 · M24A1 · M39 · M39A1 · M39A2 · M39A3 · M61A1 · M195 · M197 · Mk 11 · Mk 11 mod 5 · T31
30 mm  M230E-1 · XM140 · GAU-8/A · GAU-13/A · LR30
37 mm  M4 · M9 · M10
40 mm  M75 · M129
75 mm  M10 · T13E1
  Foreign:
20 mm  Hispano 404 (France) · Hispano Mk.II (Britain) · MG 151 (Germany) · Type 99 Model 1 (Japan)
30 mm  ADEN Mk.4 (Britain)

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