Machine Gun Monday – GAU-19 A/B

The Gecal 50 is a .50cal Gatling Gun Adopted by Many Militaries.

History:

The GECAL 50 was first manufactured by General Electric, then by Lockheed Martin, and now by General Dynamics. Design work began in 1982. Early prototypes had six barrels, but a three-barreled configuration is now standard. The GAU-19/A was originally designed as a larger, more potent version of the M134 Minigun.

Due to the loss of nine helicopters in Grenada GE started building prototypes of the weapon in both a three-barreled and a six-barreled configuration. The six-barreled version was designed to fire 4,000 rpm, and could be adapted to fire up to 8,000 rpm. The GAU-19 takes 0.4 seconds to reach maximum firing rate. Soon it was recommended as a potential armament for the V-22 Osprey. The magazine would be located underneath the cabin floor and could be reloaded in-flight. However, plans to mount the gun were later dropped. In 2005, the GAU-19/A was approved to be mounted on the OH-58D Kiowa helicopter. It also could have been used on the Army’s now cancelled ARH-70. In January 2012, the U.S. Army ordered 24 GAU-19/B versions for use on helicopters. All were delivered by the next month.

Specifications:

Weight: With feeder and transfer unit:139 lbs.

Length: 53.9 in.(

Barrel length: 36 in.

Width: 13.5 in

Height: 15 in.

Cartridge: .50 BMG

Barrels: 3

Action: Electric

Rate of fire: 1,000 or 2,000 rounds per minute

Muzzle velocity: 2,910 fps

Effective firing range: 1,800 m

Maximum firing range: 6,000 m

Feed system: linkless or M9 linked belt

Source

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