Trivia
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 2:35 amSome of this trivia is awesome... :)
Trivia
The GAU-8 Avenger cannon is said to produce almost the same amount of force as one of the A-10's engines, leading to a persistent military legend that if enough bullets could be carried and fired in a long burst, the plane would stop flying (or move backwards, in some versions of the legend). Using the specs from the GAU-8/A product homepage, the recoil force of the GAU-8/A is measured to an average of 10,000 lbf (45 kN). While the recoil force is considerable, the cannon is employed only in short bursts to protect the barrel cluster from overheating. Even if both engines were stopped and the jet was gliding unpowered, firing the cannon will not bring it to a stop in midair, only slow it down much in the same manner as if an airbrake was deployed.
Of further note on the impressive cannon recoil force, the A-10's nosewheel gear assembly is situated in the less than optimal off-center-line position (immediately starboard of the gun). This design feature was necessary to accommodate the GAU-8 in the center-line position as off-center placement would result in potentially catastrophic yaw forces on firing the cannon.
The A-10 was the inspiration for the COBRA Rattler aircraft seen in the 1980s cartoon series GI Joe, as well as the Autobot Powerglide in the The Transformers.
Trivia
The GAU-8 Avenger cannon is said to produce almost the same amount of force as one of the A-10's engines, leading to a persistent military legend that if enough bullets could be carried and fired in a long burst, the plane would stop flying (or move backwards, in some versions of the legend). Using the specs from the GAU-8/A product homepage, the recoil force of the GAU-8/A is measured to an average of 10,000 lbf (45 kN). While the recoil force is considerable, the cannon is employed only in short bursts to protect the barrel cluster from overheating. Even if both engines were stopped and the jet was gliding unpowered, firing the cannon will not bring it to a stop in midair, only slow it down much in the same manner as if an airbrake was deployed.
Of further note on the impressive cannon recoil force, the A-10's nosewheel gear assembly is situated in the less than optimal off-center-line position (immediately starboard of the gun). This design feature was necessary to accommodate the GAU-8 in the center-line position as off-center placement would result in potentially catastrophic yaw forces on firing the cannon.
The A-10 was the inspiration for the COBRA Rattler aircraft seen in the 1980s cartoon series GI Joe, as well as the Autobot Powerglide in the The Transformers.
