A 30mm cartridge from the GAU-8/A Avenger, the cannon mounted on the A-10 Thunderbolt II. Each cartridge is 11.4 inches (290 mm) long and weighs 1.53 pounds (0.69 kg).

A 30mm cartridge from the GAU-8/A Avenger, the cannon mounted on the A-10 Thunderbolt II. Each cartridge is 11.4 inches (290 mm) long and weighs 1.53 pounds (0.69 kg).

Title: The Massive 30mm Cartridge of the A-10’s GAU-8 Avenger: Size, Power, and Impact

Meta Description: Discover the terrifying specs of the 30mm cartridges fired by the GAU-8/A Avenger, the A-10 Thunderbolt II’s iconic cannon. Dive into size, weight, and destructive power.

The GAU-8/A Avenger: Engineering a Legendary Weapon

The A-10 Thunderbolt II, affectionately nicknamed the “Warthog,” is renowned for its unrivaled close air support capabilities. At the heart of its lethality lies the GAU-8/A Avenger, a seven-barrel Gatling-style cannon capable of firing 30mm cartridges at a rate of 3,900 rounds per minute. But what makes this weapon system so devastating? The answer lies in the sheer size and power of its ammunition.

In this article, we break down the specifications, design, and impact of the GAU-8’s colossal 30mm cartridges—rounds so massive they redefine aerial firepower.

Specs That Speak Volumes: Size and Weight

Each 30x173mm cartridge fired by the GAU-8 is a feat of engineering designed to obliterate armored targets. Here’s what sets it apart:

• Length: 11.4 inches (290 mm) — longer than a standard sheet of paper!
• Weight: 1.53 pounds (0.69 kg) per cartridge — nearly the weight of a football.
• Projectile Weight: The bullet itself (not including the casing) weighs ~0.75 lbs (0.34 kg), making it five times heavier than a 20mm round.

To put this in perspective, the A-10 carries 1,174 rounds of ammunition. That’s over 1,750 lbs (795 kg) of destructive potential loaded into the aircraft.

Why So Large? Design and Purpose

The GAU-8’s 30mm cartridges were purpose-built for one mission: destroying Soviet tanks during the Cold War. Their massive size enables two key advantages:

1. Armor-Piercing Power: The rounds use depleted uranium penetrators, capable of slicing through tank armor, concrete bunkers, and light vehicles with ease. The kinetic energy alone ensures catastrophic damage.
2. Accuracy at Range: The projectile’s weight and velocity (3,450 ft/s) ensure stability mid-flight, allowing the A-10 to engage targets from over 2 miles away.

The cartridges also feature aluminum alloy casings to reduce weight (critical for an aircraft) and electric primers for rapid, reliable firing.

The “BRRRT” Effect: Rate of Fire and Combat Impact

When the GAU-8/A unleashes a burst, it’s not firing single shots—it’s a torrent of 30mm shells. With a rate of fire of 65 rounds per second, a two-second burst delivers 130 rounds, totaling 200 lbs of ammunition. This “gun run” can disable a column of tanks in seconds, earning the A-10 its infamous “BRRRT” nickname.

During Operation Desert Storm, A-10s fired over 783,000 rounds of 30mm ammunition, destroying thousands of Iraqi armored vehicles and fortifications.

Engineering Challenges: Recoil and Integration

Firing such a powerful cartridge creates immense recoil. The GAU-8 generates 10,000 pounds of force when firing—nearly equal to the thrust of one of the A-10’s two engines! To compensate:

• The cannon is mounted off-center to align with the aircraft’s centerline.
• The A-10’s airframe is reinforced to handle the stress.

Even the spent cartridges are ejected at high speed to avoid damaging the plane!

Conclusion: The Ultimate Tank-Killer Ammo

The GAU-8/A’s 30mm cartridge is a marvel of military engineering—combining brute force, precision, and reliability. Its terrifying specs (11.4 inches long, 1.53 lbs each) underscore why the A-10 Thunderbolt II remains unmatched in close air support, decades after its introduction.

Whether piercing armor or suppressing enemy forces, this cartridge is a symbol of American firepower—and a key reason the Warthog remains a legend on the battlefield.

Keywords for SEO: GAU-8/A Avenger 30mm cartridge, A-10 Warthog ammunition, 30mm cannon rounds specs, GAU-8 Avenger size, depleted uranium rounds, A-10 Thunderbolt II gun, military cartridge dimensions.

Image Suggestion: Side-by-side comparison of the 30mm cartridge with common ammunition (e.g., 5.56mm, .50 BMG); A-10 firing the GAU-8 in action.

Internal Links:

• [How the A-10 Warthog Earned Its Legendary Status]()
• [Depleted Uranium Rounds: Power and Controversy]()
• [Top 5 Military Aircraft Cannons]()

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