M61A1 VULCAN CANNON
TYPE:
20 mm Gatling type cannon for aircraft.
DEVELOPMENT:
The M61 Vulcan was the first of a series of externally
powered Gatling type cannon that have been steadily
evolved from a design study first begun in 1946 at the
request of the US Army Corps, and joined in 1950 by the
USAF. General Electric, (now Martin-Marietta Armament
Systems), was contracted to develop a new cannon using
the Gatling principle of multiple barrels first used
in
the mid-19th century and the project was named Vulcan.
The early development Vulcan cannon had six barrels
firing standard 20 mm ammunition.
DESCRIPTION:
The M61A1 is a 20 mm six-barrelled, Gatling type cannon
having a rotary action powered from the aircraft
hydraulic or electrical supply. All barrels are rigidly
clamped together and attached to the forward end of the
breech rotor which rotates in stationary housing. The
multi-barrelled design gives long weapon life by
reducing heat dissipation and barrel erosion. A variety
of barrel muzzle clamps is available to give different
shot dispersion patterns.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Calibre: 20 mm
No of barrels: 6
Length: 1.83 m
Weight:
(M61A1) 114.5 kg
(GAU-4) 125 kg
(Lightweight M61A2) 93 kg
Rate of fire: 4000 or 6000 rds/min selectable also 7200
rds/min depending on aircraft
Muzzle velocity: 1030 m/s