NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Minigun

The Minigun is a multi-barrel machine gun with a high rate of fire (several thousand rounds per minute), employing Gatling-style rotating barrels and an external power source. In popular culture the term has come to refer to any externally powered Gatling gun of rifle caliber, though the term is sometimes used to refer to guns of similar rates of fire and configuration, regardless of power source and caliber. Specifically, the term Minigun refers to a single weapon, originally produced by General Electric. The "mini" of the name is in comparison to designs that use a similar firing mechanism but 20 mm or larger shells such as General Electric's earlier M61 Vulcan. An 1865 Gatling gun. ... A machine gun is a fully-automatic firearm that is capable of firing bullets in rapid succession. ... â€œGEâ€ redirects here. ... â€œGEâ€ redirects here. ... Calibre redirects here. ... NATO 7. ... In firearms terminology, an action is the system of operation that the firearm employs to seal the breech (in a breech-loading firearm), and to load consecutive rounds. ... (for paintball markers also)Rate of fire is the frequency at which a specific weapon can fire or launch its projectiles. ... A disintegrating belt feeding into an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, from a United States Army training manual A non-disintegrating belt feeding into a . ... A machine gun is a fully-automatic firearm that is capable of firing bullets in rapid succession. ... The revolutions per minute (abbreviated rpm, RPM or r/min) is a unit of frequency, commonly used to measure rotational speed. ... An 1865 Gatling gun. ... Unmounted M61 Vulcan The M61 Vulcan is a 20 mm hydraulically or pneumatically driven, six-barreled, air-cooled, electrically fired Gatling-style cannon with an extremely high rate of fire. ...

History

1890s: Electric motor-driven Gatling gun

The ancestor to the modern minigun was made in the 1860s. Richard J. Gatling replaced the hand cranked mechanism of a rifle-caliber Gatling gun with an electric motor, a relatively new invention at the time. Even after Gatling slowed down the mechanism, the new electric-powered Gatling gun had a theoretical rate of fire of 3,000 rounds per minute, roughly three times the rate of a typical modern, single-barreled machine gun. Gatling's electric-powered design received US Patent #502,185 on July 25, 1893. Despite Gatling's improvements, the Gatling gun fell into disuse after cheaper, lighter-weight, recoil and gas operated machine guns were invented. An 1865 Gatling gun. ... is the 206th day of the year (207th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1893 (MDCCCXCIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

1960s: Vietnam war

In the 1960s, the US military began exploring modern variants of the electric-powered, rotating barrel Gatling gun-style weapons for use in the Vietnam War. The US forces in Vietnam, which used helicopters as one of the primary means of transporting soldiers and equipment through the dense jungle, found that the thin-skinned helicopters were very vulnerable to small arms fire and Rocket-Propelled Grenade attacks when they slowed down to land. Although helicopters had mounted single-barrel machine guns, using single-barrel machine guns to repel attackers hidden in the dense jungle foliage often led to barrels overheating or cartridge jams. Image File history File links HH-3-minigun-vietnam-19681710. ... Image File history File links HH-3-minigun-vietnam-19681710. ... Combatants Republic of Vietnam United States Republic of Korea Thailand Australia New Zealand The Philippines National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam Democratic Republic of Vietnam Peopleâ€™s Republic of China Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea Strength US 1,000,000 South Korea 300,000 Australia 48,000...

In order to develop a weapon with a more reliable, higher rate of fire, General Electric designers scaled down the rotating-barrel 20 mm M61 Vulcan cannon for 7.62 x 51 mm NATO ammunition. The resulting weapon, designated XM134 and known popularly as the Minigun, could fire up to 4,000 rounds per minute without overheating. (Originally, the gun was specced at 6,000 rpm, but this was later lowered to 4,000.) The Minigun was mounted on OH-6 Cayuse and OH-58 Kiowa side pods, in the turret and wing pods on AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters, on door, pylon and pod mounts on UH-1 "Huey" Iroquois transport helicopters, and on many other helicopters and aircraft. â€œGEâ€ redirects here. ... Unmounted M61 Vulcan The M61 Vulcan is a 20 mm hydraulically or pneumatically driven, six-barreled, air-cooled, electrically fired Gatling-style cannon with an extremely high rate of fire. ... NATO 7. ... The Hughes H-6 is a family of light utility and assault helicopters of the United States Army. ... The OH-58 Kiowa is a family of single-engine, single-rotor, observation and light attack helicopters manufactured by Bell Helicopter Textron and originally based on the companys Bell 206A JetRanger helicopter. ... The Bell AH-1 Cobra is an attack helicopter. ... This article is about the military versions of the Bell 204 and 205 models. ...

Several larger aircraft were outfitted with miniguns, specifically for close air support, including famous gunship airplanes like the Douglas AC-47 ("Spooky" a.k.a. "Puff the Magic Dragon", converted Douglas C-47s), AC-119 Gunship ("Shadow" and "Stinger", converted Fairchild "Flying Boxcars"), and the original AC-130 "Spectre" Gunship (converted C-130 Hercules cargo planes), the H-53 (MH-53 Pave Low), and the common H-60 family of helicopters (UH-60 Black Hawk/HH-60 Pave Hawk). An Apache attack helicopter provides close air support to United States Army soldiers patrolling the Tigris River southeast of Baghdad, Iraq during the Iraq War. ... The term gunship is used in several contexts, all sharing the general idea of a light vessel armed with heavy guns. ... The AC-47 Spooky was the first in a series of gunships developed by the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. ... Puff, the Magic Dragon is a song written by Leonard Lipton and Peter Yarrow and made popular by the group Peter, Paul and Mary in a 1963 recording. ... Douglas DC-3 VH-AES at Avalon in 2003. ... The AC-119 Shadow and Stinger were developed during the Vietnam War. ... 1944 Fairchild Argus III Fairchild was an aircraft and aerospace manufacturing company based at various times in Farmingdale, New York, Hagerstown, Maryland and San Antonio, Texas. ... The Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar was a U.S. military transport aircraft developed from the World War II Fairchild C-82 Packet, designed to carry cargo, personnel, litter patients, and mechanized equipment, and to drop cargo and troops by parachute. ... AC-130 deploying flares The AC-130 Gunship is an armed variant of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules. ... The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop cargo aircraft and the main tactical airlifter for many military forces worldwide. ... The Sikorsky HH-53 Super Jolly Green Giant is a USAF version of the CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter for long-range combat search and rescue (CSAR) helicopters. ... For other uses of Blackhawk/Black Hawk, see Black Hawk. ... United States Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter The primary function of the Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter is to conduct day or night operations into hostile environments to recover downed aircrew or other isolated personnel during war. ...

Design and variants

The basic weapon is a 6-barrel, air-cooled, and electrically driven machine gun. The electric drive rotates the weapon within its housing, with a rotating firing pin assembly and rotary chamber.^[1] The minigun's multibarrel design helps prevent overheating, but also serves other functions. Multiple barrels allow for a greater capacity for a high firing rate, since the serial process of firing/extraction/loading is taking place in all barrels simultaneously. Thus, as one barrel fires, two others are in different stages of shell extraction and another three are being loaded. The minigun is composed of multiple closed-bolt rifle barrels arranged in a circular housing. The barrels are rotated by an external power source: usually electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic. Other rotating-barrel cannons are powered by the gas pressure or recoil energy of fired cartridges. A gas-operated variant, designated the XM133, was also developed, but was not put into production.^[2] Pneumatics, from the Greek πνευματικός (pneumatikos, coming from the wind) is the use of pressurized air in science and technology. ... Hydraulics is a branch of science and engineering concerned with the use of liquids to perform mechanical tasks. ...

While the weapon can feed from linked ammunition, it requires a delinking feeder to strip the links as the rounds are introduced to the chambers. The original unit was designated MAU-56/A, but has since been replaced by an improved MAU-201/A unit.^[3]

G.E.'s minigun is in use in all major branches of the US military, under a number of designations. The basic fixed armament version was given the designation M134 by the U.S. Army, while the exact same weapon was designated GAU-2/A by the U.S. Air Force. The USAF weapon has three subvariants, while the US Army weapon appears to have incorporated any new improvements without a change in designation. Available sources show a relation between both M134 and GAU-2/A and M134 and GAU-2B/A.^[4]^[5] A separate variant, designated XM196, with an added ejection sprocket was developed specifically for the XM53 Armament Subsystem on the AH-56 Cheyenne helicopter.^[6] UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters eqipped with M60D machine guns near Najaf, Iraq in May 2005 The helicopter itself has added much to the modern battlefield, changing land warfare tactics across the board. ... The Lockheed AH-56A Cheyenne was a sophisticated but unsuccessful military attack helicopter. ...

Another variant was developed by the U.S. Air Force specifically for flexible installations, at the time primarily for the UH-1N helicopter, as the GAU-17/A. The primary end users of the GAU-17/A have been the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps, who mount them on as defensive armament on a number of helicopters and surface ships. The weapon is part of both the A/A49E-11 armament system on the UH-1N and A/A49E-13 armament subsystem on the HH-60H aircraft. The weapons on these systems feature a selectable fire rate of either 2,000 or 4,000 rpm. There is mention of a possible GAUSE-17 designation (GAU-Shipboard Equipment-17), in reference to the system when mounted on surface ships, though this would not follow the official ASETDS designation system's format.^[7]^[8] This article is about the military versions of the Bell 204 and 205 models. ... UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters eqipped with M60D machine guns near Najaf, Iraq in May 2005 The helicopter itself has added much to the modern battlefield, changing land warfare tactics across the board. ...

Other manufacturers in the United States also produce Miniguns with various refinements of their own, including Dillon Aerospace (the "M134D"), and Garwood Industries (the "M134G").

UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters eqipped with M60D machine guns near Najaf, Iraq in May 2005 The helicopter itself has added much to the modern battlefield, changing land warfare tactics across the board. ... The Lockheed AH-56A Cheyenne was a sophisticated but unsuccessful military attack helicopter. ...

Gun pods and other aircraft mounts

One of the first applications of the weapon was in aircraft armament pods. These gun pods were used by a wide variety of fixed and rotary wing aircraft mainly during the Vietnam conflict, remaining in inventory for a period afterward. The standard pod, designated SUU-11/A by the USAF and M18 by the US Army, was a relatively simple unit, completely self contained, with a 1,500 round magazine directly feeding delinked ammo into the weapon. This means the Minigun fitted to the pod does not require the standard MAU-56/A delinking feeder unit.^[9] A number of variations of this pod exist. The AC-47 Spooky was the first in a series of gunships developed by the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. ... A gun pod is a detachable external pod or pack allowing one or more machine guns or automatic cannon to be carried by a military aircraft. ... One of the first American attempts at a gun pod was the forward-firing . ... One of the first American attempts at a gun pod was the forward-firing . ...

Initially on fixed-wing gunships, such as the AC-47 and AC-119 the side-firing armament was fitted by combining SUU-11/A aircraft pods, often with their aerodynamic front fairings removed, with a locally fabricated mount. These pods were essentially unmodified, required no external power, and were linked to the aircraft's fire controls. The need for those pods for other missions led to the development and fielding of a purpose built "Minigun module" for gunship use, designated the MXU-470/A. These units first arrived in January 1967 with features such as an improved 2,000 round drum and electric feeder allowing simplified reloading in flight. The initial units were unreliable and were withdrawn almost immediately.^[10] By the end of the year, however, the difficulties had been worked out and the units were again being fitted to AC-47s, AC-119s, AC-130s, and even being proposed for lighter aircraft such as the O-2 Skymaster.^[11] A fit of two MXU-470/As was also tested on the AU-23A Peacemaker, though the Royal Thai Air Force who later received these aircraft elected to use the other configuration utilizing the M197 20mm cannon.^[12] The Douglas AC-47 Spooky was the first in a series of gunships developed by the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. ... The Fairchild AC-119G Shadow and AC-119K Stinger were developed during the Vietnam War. ... The O-2 Skymaster (also known as the Oscar Deuce or The Duck) is a military version of the Cessna 337 Super Skymaster. ... The Pilatus PC-6 Porter is a civilian utility aircraft built by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland. ... The Royal Thai Air Force (Thai: à¸à¸à¸‡à¸—à¸±à¸žà¸à¸²à¸à¸²à¸¨à¹„à¸—à¸¢, Kong Thab Akat Thai) is the air force of the Kingdom of Thailand. ... The M197 electric cannon is a three-barreled electric Gatling gun developed primarily for use by US Army helicopter gunships. ...

Various iterations of the minigun have also been used in a number of armament subsystems for helicopters, with most of these subsystems being created by the United States. The first systems utilized the weapon in a forward firing role, for a variety of helicopters, some of the most prominent examples being the M21 armament subsystem for the UH-1 Iroquois and the M27 for the OH-6 Cayuse. It also formed the primary turret mounted armament for a number of members of the AH-1 Cobra family. The weapon was also used as a pintle-mounted door gun on a wide variety of transport helicopters, a role it continues to serve in today. One of the first American attempts at a gun pod was the forward-firing . ... UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters eqipped with M60D machine guns near Najaf, Iraq in May 2005 The helicopter itself has added much to the modern battlefield, changing land warfare tactics across the board. ... This article is about the military versions of the Bell 204 and 205 models. ... UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters eqipped with M60D machine guns near Najaf, Iraq in May 2005 The helicopter itself has added much to the modern battlefield, changing land warfare tactics across the board. ... The Hughes H-6 is a family of light utility and assault helicopters of the United States Army. ... The Bell AH-1 Cobra is an attack helicopter. ...

Image File history File links Download high resolution version (500x644, 135 KB) Summary From Caddillac Gage Promotional Material concerning their V-100 Armored Car. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (500x644, 135 KB) Summary From Caddillac Gage Promotional Material concerning their V-100 Armored Car. ... The Cadillac Gage company is a military contractor that manufactures small arms, cannons and other weapon systems. ... The V-100 Commando was an amphibious APC built by Cadillac Gage. ... UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters eqipped with M60D machine guns near Najaf, Iraq in May 2005 The helicopter itself has added much to the modern battlefield, changing land warfare tactics across the board. ...

Non-aircraft applications

While the minigun is primarily associated with fixed wing airplanes and helicopters it has occasionally been mounted on land vehicles. Since its creation, the US military have explored ways of using the weapon on vehicles and as a heavy infantry weapon, creating weapons such as the XM214. A pamphlet from the early sixties advertising the Cadillac Gage V100 (or XM706 as it was designated by the US Army) talks of "Firepower for Today's Army" showing a vehicle with the "XM-134/GAU-2B/A Minigun." The rate of fire is advertised as selectable from "500 to 6000 shots/minute." This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... The V-100 Commando was an amphibious APC built by Cadillac Gage. ...

The Minigun in popular culture

The Minigun holds an almost iconic place in popular culture. Primarily a product of its inclusion as a personal weapon in the movies Predator (1987) and Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), the Minigun has been referenced in multiple genres spanning almost the entire gamut of media, from books and movies to anime and graphic novels to video and computer games. The visibility of the minigun in media like the movie The Matrix (1999) has promoted its iconic position, as well as, a fascination with the weapon among fans of associated media. In reality it is impossible to wield as an individual weapon, but this capability has been depicted in a wide variety of media. Predator is a 1987 science fiction, action and horror film directed by John McTiernan and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers and Jesse Ventura. ... Terminator 2: Judgment Day (commonly abbreviated T2) is a 1991 movie directed by James Cameron and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, and Robert Patrick. ... This article is about the 1999 film. ...

The term "Minigun" itself has entered the lexicon as a term used to describe any machine gun with a rotary barrel arrangement, regardless of any relation to the original General Electric product. Technically speaking, however, the term "minigun" only applies to the General Electric product, with even other rifle caliber systems being referred to as rotary barrel machine guns. For instance, in Jane's Weapon Systems, 1986-1987, the 4-barrel rotary machine gun on the Mil Mi-24 (unnamed at the time of the printing, the weapon is in fact the Yak-B 12.7mm machine gun) is referred to as a "multi-barrelled, Gatling-type gun," while the General Electric weapon is referred to as a "Minigun".^[16] The term Chain gun has often become confused with Miniguns and other rotary barrel weapons in video games and other media. A genericized trademark, generic trade mark, generic descriptor, or proprietary eponym, is a trademark or brand name which has become the colloquial or generic description for a particular class of product or service. ... The Mil Mi-24 (NATO reporting name: Hind) is a large helicopter gunship and low-capacity troop transport produced by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and operated from 1976 by the Soviet Air Force, its successors, and over thirty other nations. ... The M242 25mm Chain gun A chain gun is a type of machine gun or autocannon that uses an external source of power, rather than recoil, to cycle the weapon. ...

Contents

History

1890s: Electric motor-driven Gatling gun

1960s: Vietnam war

Design and variants

Gun pods and other aircraft mounts

Non-aircraft applications

The Minigun in popular culture

See also

References

Citations

Sources

External links

Contents

History GA_googleFillSlot("encyclopedia_square");

1890s: Electric motor-driven Gatling gun

1960s: Vietnam war

Design and variants

Gun pods and other aircraft mounts

Non-aircraft applications

The Minigun in popular culture

See also

References

Citations

Sources

External links

History