GAU-19 (12.7 mm)

Description

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Vehicles equipped with this weapon

• AH-6M (Suspended)

General info

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Available ammunition

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Comparison with analogues

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Usage in battles

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Pros and cons

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Pros:

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History

In 1982, General Electric began the development of a new weapon based on their successful M134 Minigun. Intended for use with the .50 BMG cartridge, the development of the GAU-19 intensified after the loss of nine helicopters during the 1983 Invasion of Grenada. It was during this time the familiar three-barreled version of the design first emerged as opposed to the original six-barrel design shared with the minigun. The six-barrel version had a rate of fire of 4,000 rounds per minute normally and could be enhanced to up to 8,000 rounds per minute. The rate of fire could also be achieved in only 0.4 seconds. The three-barreled version that entered production and service in the 1980s was capable of 20,000 rounds per minute. These traits led to the GAU-19 being considered for arming the V-22 Osprey project, which in turn led to the belief that the gun was designed for the new aircraft despite having begun as a private venture by General Electric. The gun was ultimately not used on the Osprey, but it was used on a number of other vehicles. The Air Force was of course a notable user of the GAU-19 (the designation GAU denotes their involvement in the development of the program) and mounted it on a number of aircraft. It is also used by the US Army including on the MH-60L DAP variant of the UH-60 Black Hawk in gun pods, the AH-6 Little Bird, the OH-58D Kiowa, and the canceled ARH-70 helicopter. The GAU-19 is also mounted on a variety of naval aircraft and the Humvee, though the latter required the fire rate be limited to 1,300 rounds per minute. In 2010, General Dynamics (who took over production of the design from Lockheed-Martin, which in turn took over from General Electric) began production of the GAU-19/B which has the same rate of fire, but lighter overall weight. It was developed in response to a request from the Armed Scout Helicopter Program Office of the US Army. It was delivered to the Army in January 2012 and first mounted on OH-58D and was approved for service that August. 

Media

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See also

• M134 Minigun (7.62 mm) - 7.62 mm predecessor to the GAU-19.

External links

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