General Electric GAU-17/A Minigun

History

The General Electric GAU-17/A "Minigun" represents the USAF/USN derivative of the US Army Vietnam War-era General Electric M134 Minigun Vehicle Weapon System. The operation of the GAU-17 follows the Gatling rotary ammunition delivery arrangement developed by Dr. Richard J. Gatling in the 1880s.

These early forms relied on hand cranked mechanical movement to rotate their barrels, and were fed by top-loading cartridges. The concept was justified and revisited some time later, when an electric motor was installed to power the required rotational movement.

Although the GAU-17/A originated in the 1960s, it is a standardized suppression weapon that is still used today (2015) by conventional and special forces.

The initial GE Gatling weapons tests were developed under the project name "Vulcan". The program produced the M61 Gatling system and an airborne revolving gun firing 20mm shells. With the increased use of helicopters as armed assault ships (gunships) during the Vietnam War, GE's M61 was redesigned into a more compact form and became a relatively portable M134 series of miniature machine guns capable of firing NATO-standard 7.62x51mm rifle ammunition The barrel delivers an impressive 6,000 rounds per minute.

The M134 was a vital part of the U.S. Army's helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft throughout the Vietnam War, when slow, low-flying aircraft were found vulnerable to fire from the jungle-covered ground. A suppressing weapon is needed to clear the jungle and attack enemies hidden below.

GAU-17/A, although largely similar to the US Army M134 in most respects. It has a fire selector for a "low" rate of fire of 2,000 rounds per minute or a "high rate of fire" of 4,000 rounds per minute (the Army initially fired at a fixed 6,000 rounds per minute). The GAU-17/A fires the same 7.62x51mm cartridge as the Army M134. The ammunition "flaws out" is avoided by incorporating an intentional delay into the firing motion, activated after the trigger is released to ensure that all six barrels are cleared of loaded ammunition before coming to a complete stop.

On request, full magazines are issued in quantities ranging from 1,500 to 4,400 rounds.

The GAU-17/A system is stripped down to its core components, including the M134D six-barreled rotary cannon system, electric propulsion motor, detachable ammunition feeder, cartridges, flexible ammunition feeder and electric gun control assembly and associated power supplies wiring. The barrel is fitted with a titanium flash suppressor, and the barrel assembly rotates counterclockwise when the gun is viewed from behind the trigger.

The GAU-17/A Miniguns remain cherished repressive weapons by the U.S. military and widely recognized in the stockpiles of U.S. allies around the world. USAF/USN services use the designations GAU-2/A and GAU-17A for their fixed and flexible installations, respectively. The U.S.

Marine Corps also uses the GAU-17A.

Specification

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Changes