Talk:GAU-8 Avenger

Rate of fire ?
The page cites a source at http://www.gd-ots.com/armament_systems/ags_A-10.html - this same source states that the rate of fire is 6,000 rounds / minute.

This is in contrast to the article and its infobox which state lower numbers, 3900 and 4200 rpm.

Maybe someone familiar with the article can make sure it reflects the actual rate of fire.

Thanks, Lklundin (talk) 14:53, 8 October 2016 (UTC)


 * The A-10 flight manual pretty clearly states on page 1-50A that the rate of fire for the gun is 3900 +/-. (1A-10A-1, Pg 1-150,http://www.scribd.com/doc/34087548/To-1A-10A1-A-10A-Flight-Manual )  6,000 SPM is the rate for the M61A1 & M61A2 20 mm cannon that is used on a lot of other tactical aircraft (F15, F16, F22, etc).  In the past I have attempted to communicate with the operator of that website without success. Fyoutoo (talk) 13:18, 20 October 2016 (UTC)
 * I've seen several sources that state the original gun design could fire at 6,000 rpm since it was slaved to the aircraft's hydraulic systems, but this was removed later as, you know, losing both hydraulic systems to power the gun isn't a great tradeoff. Bones Jones (talk) 04:23, 24 October 2017 (UTC)
 * It appears the the rate of fire on the source used in original posters question has been revised down to 4,200 SPM. This is from the manufacturer's website and also what I was taught in Armament Systems school as the capability of the system.  In real world application while installed in the A-10 aircraft the 3,900 mark from the flight manual should be considered the authoritative reference.  With the exception of the now changed incorrect OEM unofficial statistics, I have never seen the 6,000 SPM value applied to the Gau-8 in anything even remotely authoritative.  I would appreciate some clarification or sources from the above poster to support or clarify their claims.  The system does receive hydraulic power from both the A and B side hydraulic systems for functioning.Fyoutoo (talk) 17:16, 9 January 2018 (UTC)

Accuracy and the milliradian system of measurement
There is clearly a great lack of familiarity with this system of measurement as the editing war for Gau-8 accuracy would suggest. The issue is that, while all sources for accuracy of the gun quote a figure of "5 mil, 80%," there are different conclusions as to what diameter circle that would represent at the stated distance of 4000ft (1219.2m). Use of the word "radius" in some publications only serves to further confuse the matter.

The answer is clear, however, since all sources state "5 mil, 80%" and we know that, according to the milliradian system of measurement, 1 mil = 1 meter at 1000m (FM 23-10 Sniper Training, p. 43), (http://mil-dot.com/articles/the-mildot-reticle).

5 mil = 5m at 1000m. 4000ft = 1219.2m. 5m x 1.2192= 6.096m (20ft). Thus, 5 mil at 4000ft must be 20ft. All other conclusions must be in error, unless the universally agreed "5 mil, 80%" statement is in error, which seems unlikely in the extreme since all sources state 5 mil. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2601:680:8000:F5B0:ED86:993C:97EA:2758 (talk) 20:32, 18 February 2017 (UTC)

I think you're confusing diameter and radius. With weapon's precision you usually talk about the dispersion radius. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 77.240.103.114 (talk) 12:25, 23 October 2017 (UTC)

Grooves?
The article lists 14 grooves but in the Image you can count ~ 24 — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2A01:C22:CDD4:D200:308E:2A43:C25D:BD25 (talk) 10:47, 16 February 2022 (UTC)

GAU-8 accuracy
I've seen the 80% stat floated around a lot, but I can't seem to find anything from the air force or Fairchild on it, so is there anything on it?

Victor939 (talk) 00:00, 9 April 2022 (UTC)