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GAU-23/AW/Linkless Feed Autocannon: Difference between revisions

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{{era|HCW}}
{{Status|Canon}}
[[File:UNSC Hawk Chaingun.jpg|right|325px|thumb|Concept art of the Autocannon.]]
{{Weapon infobox
|name=GAU-23/AW/Linkless Feed Autocannon
|image= [[File:UNSC Hawk Chaingun.jpg|300px]]
Concept art of the GAU-23.
|manufacturer=
|series=
|type=[[:Category:Autocannons|Autocannon]]
|cost=
|variant=
|service=
|length=
|width=
|height=
|weight=
|ammotype=20mm ammunition
*[[M718 SAPHEI]]
*[[PGU-42/B API]]
|capacity=
|feed=Linkless feed
|operation=Fully automatic
|rate=
|velocity=
|optics=
|range=
}}
The '''GAU-23/AW/Linkless Feed Autocannon''' is a weapon used by the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine Corps]], mounted on [[AV-22 Sparrowhawk]]s{{Ref/Book|EVG|Page=182}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Guide|Halo Wars: Official Strategy Guide|Page=45-46}}, [[AV-14 Hornet]]s{{Ref/Reuse|Guide}} and [[AC-220 Vulture]] gunships.{{Ref/Reuse|Guide}}{{Ref/Book|EVG|Page=202}}{{Ref/Site|Id=waypoint|URL=http://halo.xbox.com/en-us#/intel/theuniverse/tech/gallery/vulture/d7c47141-fe31-43ff-8698-3ec01a19b356?filter=all|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=AC-220 Vulture gunship|D=25|M=03|Y=2011}}


The '''GUA-23/AW/Linkless Feed Autocannon''' is a weapon used by the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine Corps]], mounted on [[AV-22 Sparrowhawk|Hawk]] and [[AC-220 Vulture|Vulture]] VTOL gunships. It was capable of engaging a number of enemy units of various types, ranging from infantry, to armored vehicles and aircraft.<ref>'''[[Halo Wars]]''', leader cards</ref> The Vulture heavy gunship mounted version which uses a .50 caliber round that is heavier than the [[AV-22 Sparrowhawk|Hawk]]'s ammunition.<ref>'''[[Halo Wars: Official Strategy Guide]]'''</ref> However, it seems unlikely that either aircraft would use a .50 caliber or lower caliber round. This is because the [[M12 Force Application Vehicle|Warthog]]'s machine gun turret uses .50 caliber rounds as well, but they are far less powerful. The GUA-23 Autocannon would likely use a 15mm or higher caliber round in order to achieve the damage that it puts out. Hence, the GUA-23 seems to be a 20, 25 or 30mm cannon.
==Overview==
===Design details===
The GAU/23 is a tri-barreled autocannon found equipped on many UNSC aircraft. It is capable of engaging a number of enemy units of various types, ranging from infantry, to armored vehicles and aircraft.{{Ref/Generic|[[Halo Wars Limited Edition]]|[[Personnel profile]] - [[Ellen Anders]]|LocalArchive=:File:HWDE Anders LeaderProfile.jpg}} The version mounted on Sparrowhawks can fire the full range of 20mm aircraft ammunition, though the standard loadout is either [[M718 SAPHEI]] or [[PGU-42/B API]], with a [[depleted uranium]] core.{{Ref/Site|Id=units|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-local-units|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Local Units|D=30|M=06|Y=2021}}
 
When mounted on certain variants of the AV-14 Hornet, the GAU/23 is mounted on the craft's chin as a rotary cannon. Two of the weapons can be mounted on the wingtips of the Sparrowhawk, while the AC-220 Vulture can host four wing-mounted guns.
 
==Operational history==
During the early [[Human-Covenant War]], the GAU/23 was mounted on variants of the AV-22 Sparrowhawk, AV-14 Hornet and AC-220 Vulture gunships employed by the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} during the [[Harvest campaign]], [[Battle for Arcadia]] and [[Battle of Trove]].{{Ref/Game|HW|In-game models}}
 
==Notes==
There is discrepancy among sources as to the GAU/23's ammunition type. The ''[[Halo Wars: Official Strategy Guide]]'' makes note that the GAU/23 fires [[:Wikipedia:.50 BMG|.50 BMG]] ammunition, which would make it [[12.7×99mm Armor-Piercing]] ammo similar to that used by the [[M41 Vulcan]]. The later ''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]'' indicates the weapon to fire 30mm ammunition, while a later [[Halo Waypoint]] [[Canon Fodder]] post focusing on the Sparrowhawk identifies the ammunition type as 20mm.{{Ref/Reuse|units}} This article assumes the latter source as definitive information.
 
Additionally, the described properties of the GAU/23 as seen on the Sparrowhawk and Hornet in ''Halo Wars'' do not match the appearance of the weapon used by the Vulture gunship. The former two aircraft use the GAU/23 as a tri-barrelled autocannon for light targets, while the Vulture appears to only have one barrel per weapon firing at a slow rate of fire.
 
==Trivia==
''[[Dirt]]'' makes mention of a chin-mounted machine gun on a Hornet aircraft, though it is unconfirmed if this is the GAU-23.{{Ref/Anthology|Evo|Dirt|Page=113}}
 
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:HWunit Hornet.png|A chin-mounted GAU/23 on an AV-14 Hornet.
File:HWunit Sparrowhawk.png|Dual-autocannons mounted on the wingtips of the AV-22 Sparrowhawk.
File:HaloWars-Vulture.png|Quad-autocannons mounted on the wings of the AC-220 Vulture.
File:HW VultureAutocannons.png|Close up of the quad-autocannons on the AC-220 Vulture.
</gallery>


==List of appearances==
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo Wars]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo Wars]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]''


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}
{{UNSC Heavy Weapons}}
 
{{UNSC heavy weapons}}
 
[[Category:Autocannons]]
[[Category:Autocannons]]
[[Category:UNSC air weapons]]
[[Category:UNSC air weapons]]

Latest revision as of 10:31, December 11, 2023

GAU-23/AW/Linkless Feed Autocannon
UNSC Hawk Chaingun.jpg

Concept art of the GAU-23.

Production overview

Type:

Autocannon

Specifications

Ammunition type:

20mm ammunition

Feed system:

Linkless feed

Operation:

Fully automatic

 

The GAU-23/AW/Linkless Feed Autocannon is a weapon used by the UNSC Marine Corps, mounted on AV-22 Sparrowhawks[1][2], AV-14 Hornets[2] and AC-220 Vulture gunships.[2][3][4]

Overview[edit]

Design details[edit]

The GAU/23 is a tri-barreled autocannon found equipped on many UNSC aircraft. It is capable of engaging a number of enemy units of various types, ranging from infantry, to armored vehicles and aircraft.[5] The version mounted on Sparrowhawks can fire the full range of 20mm aircraft ammunition, though the standard loadout is either M718 SAPHEI or PGU-42/B API, with a depleted uranium core.[6]

When mounted on certain variants of the AV-14 Hornet, the GAU/23 is mounted on the craft's chin as a rotary cannon. Two of the weapons can be mounted on the wingtips of the Sparrowhawk, while the AC-220 Vulture can host four wing-mounted guns.

Operational history[edit]

During the early Human-Covenant War, the GAU/23 was mounted on variants of the AV-22 Sparrowhawk, AV-14 Hornet and AC-220 Vulture gunships employed by the UNSC Spirit of Fire during the Harvest campaign, Battle for Arcadia and Battle of Trove.[7]

Notes[edit]

There is discrepancy among sources as to the GAU/23's ammunition type. The Halo Wars: Official Strategy Guide makes note that the GAU/23 fires .50 BMG ammunition, which would make it 12.7×99mm Armor-Piercing ammo similar to that used by the M41 Vulcan. The later Halo: The Essential Visual Guide indicates the weapon to fire 30mm ammunition, while a later Halo Waypoint Canon Fodder post focusing on the Sparrowhawk identifies the ammunition type as 20mm.[6] This article assumes the latter source as definitive information.

Additionally, the described properties of the GAU/23 as seen on the Sparrowhawk and Hornet in Halo Wars do not match the appearance of the weapon used by the Vulture gunship. The former two aircraft use the GAU/23 as a tri-barrelled autocannon for light targets, while the Vulture appears to only have one barrel per weapon firing at a slow rate of fire.

Trivia[edit]

Dirt makes mention of a chin-mounted machine gun on a Hornet aircraft, though it is unconfirmed if this is the GAU-23.[8]

Gallery[edit]

  • A chin-mounted GAU/23 on an AV-14 Hornet.

    A chin-mounted GAU/23 on an AV-14 Hornet.

  • Dual-autocannons mounted on the wingtips of the AV-22 Sparrowhawk.

    Dual-autocannons mounted on the wingtips of the AV-22 Sparrowhawk.

  • Quad-autocannons mounted on the wings of the AC-220 Vulture.

    Quad-autocannons mounted on the wings of the AC-220 Vulture.

  • Close up of the quad-autocannons on the AC-220 Vulture.

    Close up of the quad-autocannons on the AC-220 Vulture.

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 182
  2. ^ a b c Halo Wars: Official Strategy Guide, page 45-46
  3. ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 202
  4. ^ Halo Waypoint, AC-220 Vulture gunship (Retrieved on Mar 25, 2011) [archive]
  5. ^ Halo Wars Limited Edition, Personnel profile - Ellen Anders [archive]
  6. ^ a b Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Local Units (Retrieved on Jun 30, 2021) [archive]
  7. ^ Halo Wars, In-game models
  8. ^ Halo: Evolutions - Dirt, page 113

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