GAU-12 Equalizer

GAU-12/U Equalizer
Type	Rotary cannon
Place of origin	United States
Production history
Designer	General Dynamics
Specifications
Weight	270 lb (122 kg)
Length	83.2 in (2.11 m)
Width	10 in (256 mm)
Height	11.5 in (292 mm)
Caliber	25 mm (0.98 in)
Action	Hydraulic, Electric, Pneumatic
Rate of fire	3600 - 4200 rounds per minute
Muzzle velocity	(HEI) 3400 ft/s (1040 m/s); (API) 3280 ft/s (1000 m/s).
Feed system	Linked or linkless
Sights	Lead Computing Optical Sight System (LCOSS)

The General Dynamics GAU-12/U Equalizer is a five-barrel 25 mm Gatling gun-style rotary cannon. The GAU-12/U is used by the United States, Italy and Spain, which mount the weapon in their fighter jets such as the AV-8B Harrier II, airborne gunships such as the Lockheed AC-130, and land-based fighting vehicles.

Development

The five-barrel 'Equalizer' cannon was developed in the late 1970s, based on the mechanism of the GAU-8/A Avenger cannon, but firing a new NATO series of 25 mm ammunition. The GAU-12/U cannon is operated by a 15 hp (11 kW) electric motor, in external mounts supplied by a bleed air driven pneumatic system. Its rate of fire is normally 3,600 rounds per minute, with a maximum of 4,200 rounds per minute.

The Equalizer normally uses PGU-20/U armor-piercing incendiary (API) or PGU-22 or PGU-25 high explosive incendiary (HEI) ammunition. With a harder-hitting projectile and comparable muzzle velocity, it is more lethal than the older M61 Vulcan, and more effective than the older 30 mm ADEN cannon it replaces. But not as effective and lethal as the Mauser BK-27.

Current uses

The current principal application for the Equalizer is the AV-8 Harrier IIs of the United States Marine Corps, Italian Navy and Spanish Navy. The Harrier II carries the Equalizer system in a pair of pods mounted on the fuselage sides, with the cannon in the port pod and 300 rounds of ammunition in the starboard pod, fed through a bridge at the aft ends of the pods that also contains the drive system for the gun. The complete installation, which includes a double-ended feed system that returns empty cartridges to the magazine, weighs 900 lb (410 kg) empty and 1,230 lb (560 kg) loaded.

RAF and Fleet Air Arm Harriers have not adopted the Equalizer for their Harrier GR7 and GR9s. The British had originally planned a pair of ADEN 25 guns (using the same ammunition as the GAU-12/U, but based on the 30 mm ADEN cannon). That gun was canceled in 1999 after protracted development problems, and British Harrier GR7/9s are without gun armament.

The Equalizer is also used in the AC-130U Spooky gunship, where one cannon is mounted on the port side, and the U.S. Marine Corps LAV-AD air-defense vehicle. Other applications have been planned for the GAU-12/U, including a mounting for the AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter.

GAU-22/A

The GAU-22/A is the latest application of the GAU-12/U, which is a four barrel version designed for use on the F-35 Lightning II. In the CTOL version of the aircraft it will carry the gun internally, while on the STOVL and CV versions an external podded gun will be available. The major difference between the GAU-12/U and the GAU-22/A is the use of a four barrel system, rather than the five barrels on the standard GAU-12/U. The four barrel version is purported to reduce weight and improve accuracy. This system is currently undergoing intensive testing and qualification. The weapon's current contractor is General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products.

Specifications (GAU-12)

• Type: Five-barreled rotary cannon
• Caliber: 25 mm (0.98 in)
• Operation: electric
• Length: 83.2 in (2.11 m)
• Weight (complete): 270 lb (122 kg)
• Rate of fire: 3,600 - 4,200 rounds per minute
• Muzzle velocity: (HEI) 3,400 ft/s (1,040 m/s); (API) 3,280 ft/s (1,000 m/s)
• Projectile weight: (HEI) 6.5 oz (184 g); (API) 7.6 oz (215 g)
• Muzzle energy: (HEI) 73,400 ft·lbf (99,500 joules); (API) 79,300 ft·lbf (107,500 joules)

Media

• F-35 gun.ogg

  Test firing of GAU-22 gun

External links

• GAU-12/U page
• F-35 JSF gun system page on General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products (manufacturer) site
• FAS.org: GAU-12 Equalizer
• Globalsecurity.com's article on the GAU-12