The General Electric GAU-8/A Avenger is a 30 mm hydraulically driven seven-barrel Gatling-style autocannon that is typically mounted in the United States Air Force’s Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II.
source/image(PrtSc): 3D Mil-Tech
Designed specifically for the anti-tank role, the Avenger delivers very powerful rounds at a high rate of fire.A 3D animation showing how a GAU-8 Avenger 30mm cannon system works.The GAU-8 Avenger mounted in the United States Air Force’s A-10 Thunderbolt II. Watch the video from 3D Mil-Tech:
The GAU-8 itself weighs 620 pounds (280 kg), but the complete weapon, with feed system and drum, weighs 4,029 pounds (1,828 kg) with a maximum ammunition load. Power for operating the gun is provided by twin hydraulic motors pressurized from two independent hydraulic systems. The magazine can hold 1,174 rounds.
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The Avenger’s rate of fire was originally selectable, 2,100 rounds per minute (rpm) in the low setting, or 4,200 rpm in the high setting. This rate was later changed to a fixed rate of 3,900 rpm.At this speed it would take 18 seconds of sustained fire to empty the magazine.via/read more: wikipedia
