The A-10 Thunderbolt II 30 mm GAU-8/A Avenger autocannon is one of the most powerful aircraft cannons ever flown. The GAU-8 is a hydraulically driven seven-barrel Gatling-type cannon designed specifically for the anti-tank role, firing large depleted uranium armor-piercing shells with a high rate of fire of 65 or 70 rounds per second, or a fixed rate of 3,900 rounds per minute. It’s accurate enough to place 80 percent of its shots within a 40-feet diameter circle from 4,000 feet while in flight. In other words, it’s one of the most powerful guns ever put in the air that fires incredibly destructive ammunition at a mind-numbing speed while mortally accurate.
It goes without saying, but when it hits human targets, it demolishes them into pieces.
If you can’t stomach seeing insurgents being sent to meet their maker, this video isn’t for you. Otherwise, this is a trip.
An Aerostat blimp tethered in Kabul observes a Taliban machine gun team following an attack on a NATO-led International Security Assistance Force position. As the insurgents regroup for exfiltration, an A-10 “Warthog” Thunderbolt II gets cleared hot for a strafing run. A three-man Taliban machine gun team takes the brunt of a 30mm GAU-8/A Avenger autocannon burst. The team of insurgents was never heard from again. Ouch!
