View source for Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-6-23

{{Infobox Weapon|is_ranged=yes
|name=Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-6-23
|origin={{Flagcountry|Soviet Union}}/{{Flagcountry|Russian Federation}}
|type=[[Autocannon]]
|designer=Vassily P. Gryazev and Arkady G. Shipunov
|manufacturer=KPB Instrument Design Bureau
|cartridge=[[23×115mm]] AM-23
|action=[[Gatling gun|Gatling]], [[Gas-operated reloading|Gas-operated]]
|rate=10,000 rpm
|velocity=715 [[Metre per second|m/s]] (2345 [[Feet per second|ft/s]])
|weight=73-76 kg (161-167 lb)
|length=1.4 m (4 ft 7 in)
|height=18 cm (7 in)
|barrels=6, [[Rifling|Rifled]]
|feed=Belt or linkless feed system
}}
The '''Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-6-23''' ({{lang-ru|Грязев-Шипунов ГШ-6-23}}), also known by its service designation, '''9-A-768,''' is a powerful, fast-firing six-barreled 23&nbsp;mm [[Gatling gun]] used by some modern [[Soviet Union|Soviet]]/[[Russia]]n military aircraft. 

The GSh-6-23 differs from most American multi-barreled aircraft cannon in that it is [[gas-operated]], rather than externally powered via an [[electric motor|electric]], hydraulic, or pneumatic system. Although the engineering difficulties involved in producing a gas-operated rotary cannon with such a high rate of fire are considerable, they create less of a drain on the aircraft's power systems, and they accelerate to their maximum rate of fire much more quickly. There is less "spin-up" time for the barrels than with an externally powered rotary cannon, a significant advantage in aerial combat, where the window of opportunity to place multiple rounds on target can be vanishingly short. 

The GSh-6-23 uses the 23x115 Russian AM-23 round, fed via linked cartridge belt or a linkless feed system. Fire control is electrical, using a 27v DC system. The cannon has 10 [[pyrotechnic cocking charge]]s, similar to those used in European gas-operated [[revolver cannon]]s such as the [[DEFA cannon|DEFA 554]] or [[Mauser BK-27]]. 

The GSh-6-23 has an extremely high rate of fire, with maximum cyclic rates of 9,000 to 10,000 rounds per minute. Compared to the U.S. [[M61 Vulcan]], the GSh-6-23 fires 50-66% more rounds per minute, has a heavier projectile, but lower muzzle velocity. The weapon is also lighter and shorter. The rapid rate of fire exhausts ammunition quickly: the [[MiG-31]](800 rounds maximum) aircraft, for example, with 260 rounds of ammunition, would empty its magazine in less than two seconds.
The GSh-6-23 is used by the now-obsolete [[Sukhoi Su-15]] 'Flagon', the [[Sukhoi Su-24]] 'Fencer' [[attack aircraft]], the [[MiG-31]] 'Foxhound' [[interceptor aircraft]], and others. It is also used in the '''SPPU-6''' [[gun pod]], which can traverse to -45° elevation, and +-45° azimuth.

However, after two [[Su-24]] were lost because of premature shell detonation in 1983, plus some different problems with gun usage (system failures, etc.), usage of the GSh-6-23 was stopped by a decision of the Soviet AF Command.  For now all aircraft in the Russian AF are flying with fully operational guns, but without ammunition.<ref>http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk/corrections.html</ref>

==See also==		
* [[GSh-23L]]
* [[Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-6-30]]
* [[M61 Vulcan]]

{{Aviation lists}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}
''Rapid Fire'', Anthony G. Williams, Airlife UK, August 2000
*{{cite book
  | last = Koll
  | first = Christian
  | authorlink = 
  | coauthors = 
  | title = Soviet Cannon - A Comprehensive Study of Soviet Arms and Ammunition in Calibres 12.7mm to 57mm
  | publisher = Koll
  | year = 2009
  | location = Austria
  | url = http://www.russianammo.org
  | doi = 
  | id = ISBN 978-3-200-01445-9
  | page = 162  }}

==External links==
*[http://www.kbptula.ru/eng/str/cannons/gsh6_23.htm KPB Tula (designer/manufacturer)]
*[http://web.archive.org/web/20050731093814/http://www.izhmash.udm.ru/arms/gsh-6-23.html Izhmash (Archive copy of manufacturer's page, in Russian)]
*[http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fweb.archive.org%2Fweb%2F20050731093814%2Fhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.izhmash.udm.ru%2Farms%2Fgsh-6-23.html&langpair=ru%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF8 Gsh-6-23M (9-A-768) (automatic translation of the above)]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gryazev-Shipunov Gsh-6-23}}
[[Category:Rotary cannons]]
[[Category:Multi-barrel machine guns]]
[[Category:Aircraft guns]]
[[Category:Aircraft guns of the Soviet Union/CIS]]
[[Category:23 mm artillery]]

[[de:Grjasew-Schipunow GSch-6-23]]
[[it:Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-6-23]]
[[lt:GŠ-6-23]]
[[hu:GS–6–23]]
[[ja:GSh-6-23 (機関砲)]]
[[pl:Działko GSz-6-23]]
[[ru:ГШ-6-23]]