The insane accuracy promised by the aiming system is what makes the Gᴀᴛʟɪɴɢ ɢᴜɴ so incredible. The Gᴀᴛʟɪɴɢ ɢᴜɴ has a variable burst option firing anything from 1 round to full auto. The main reason for the high rate of fire is to allow a short computer controlled burst in a very small area, even while flying at high speed. Where the A10 could hose an area the size of a football field, the F35 could theoretically fire 5 rounds in a area the size of a Soup Plate. Theoretically.
THREE VARIANTS
F-35s are available in three variations. These variants are made specifically for the US Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.
POWERFUL Gᴀᴛʟɪɴɢ ɢᴜɴ
The highly-fascinating F-35 makes use of its monstrous GAU-22/A in combat. Its four-barrel GAU-22/A Gᴀᴛʟɪɴɢ ɢᴜɴ is based on an older design called the GAU-12 Equalizer with five barrels.
LIMITED AMMUNITION
It is considerably lighter than the Equalizer albeit with a reduced rate of fire – around 3,300rpm. Regardless, the F-35A only carries 182 rounds while the B and C variants carry 220.
Testing F-35
SHORT BURSTS
Since the RPM of the GAU-22 is around 3,300, pilots will empty out their ɢᴜɴs in just under 4 seconds.
USED DIFFERENTLY
In the F-35A, the GAU-22 is mounted internally near the left wing root. On the F-35B and C, the ɢᴜɴ is carried by a Terma A/S multi-mission pod mounted on the centerline of the aircraft and is shaped to reduce its radar cross-section.
