The General Electric GAU-8/A Avenger is a 30 mm hydraulically driven seven-barrel Gatling-style autocannon. The gun is the primary weapon mounted on the United States Air Force’s Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II. The attack aircraft is known also as the “Tank Buster” or “Warthog” as it was designed to destroy a wide variety of ground targets. The Avenger delivers 30mm rounds at the high rate of fire at 3,900 rpm. The weight of the gun itself is 620lbs. The sound of discharging the weapon is very distinct and sounds like “BRRRRRRRRRT.” This is the view of the Avenger mounted on the A-10c 7900087 after landing at the Hagerstown Aviation Museum upon its retirement from active duty.

Published September 27, 2025 at 1600 × 1067 in AIRCRAFT