Master AM-48-081 Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II - GAU-8 Avenger gun tip and Pitot Tube

The GAU-8 / A Avenger is an American, 7-barreled, automatic cannon with a hydraulic drive, constructed in the so-called 30 mm Gatling system. The weapon entered service in 1977 and remains in service to this day. Its total weight is approx. 281 kilograms (without the ammunition feed system), and the barrel length of this cannon is up to 2.3 meters. The GAU-8 / A Avenger has a theoretical rate of fire of 3900-4200 rounds per minute. The maximum range is about 3600 meters. GAU-8 / A Avenger was developed by General Electric as the main onboard weapon of the Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft. The weapon is characterized by a compact design, very good ballistic parameters and a significant penetrating force of the projectiles fired. It is also the first cannon of the Gatling system with an aluminum breech. In general, it is seen as one of the most powerful on-board cannons mounted on NATO aircraft, and is very well suited to countering enemy armored targets. This weapon is also used in the Goalkeeper naval direct defense system.