Stats for GAU-8 Avenger?

[gruundehn]

You know, I am beginning to suspect I am getting old. I worked on the A-10A back in 1975-76 and just now realized just how long ago that was - it still seems like just a couple of months ago. I remember that the GAU-8 was limited, and I mentioned that I remembered it being 6 rounds, but I was never able to keep up with the A-10 once I cross-trained to 326XX. I had the security clearance but not the need to know.

My memory of the capabilities of the Soviet tanks comes from when I worked in 100 SRW Combat Intelligence in 1972-73. I think I remember Victor Suvorov in his book The Soviet Army mentioning the need for hand signals due to the inability of the Soviets to produce enough quality radios. But I haven't read his books in years. I also remember, from The Institute of Tactical Research, (they have since gone out of business) a study on why should-held missiles would work very effectively against Soviet armor due to the short distance between the tanks. I can also remember reading from an American source on how American armor stayed close together for two reasons, the limited number of radio channels required the use of hand signals, and mass effect.

The GAU-8 was limited in the A-10A probably due to the need to conserve ammo. It may be that once the pilots were used to the weapon, they were able to limit their bursts without a limiter and thus it was removed. I don't know because, as I said, I cross-trained away from conventional avionics and lost my need to know, even if I worked with anyone who was current on the A-10, regardless of their career field.