GAU-23/AW/Linkless Feed Autocannon
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
| GAU-23/AW/Linkless Feed Autocannon | |
|---|---|
Concept art of the GAU-23. | |
| Production overview | |
|
Type: |
Autocannon |
|
Variants: |
GAU/23 |
| Specifications | |
|
Ammunition type: |
20mm ammunition |
|
Feed system: |
Linkless feed |
|
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]
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.[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
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 the Etran Harborage.[7]
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 .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
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
A chin-mounted GAU/23 on an AV-14 Hornet.
Dual-autocannons mounted on the wingtips of the AV-22 Sparrowhawk.
Quad-autocannons mounted on the wings of the AC-220 Vulture.
List of appearances
- Halo Wars (First appearance)
- Halo: Escalation
- Halo Wars 2
Sources
- ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 182
- ^ a b c Halo Wars: Official Strategy Guide - p.45-46
- ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 202
- ^ Halo Waypoint: AC-220 Vulture gunship (defunct, backup on Archive.org)
- ^ Personnel profile - Ellen Anders (File link)
- ^ a b Halo Waypoint - Canon Fodder: Local Units
- ^ Halo Wars
- ^ Halo: Evolutions - Dirt, p. 113
