Gun systems installed in high-speed aircraft must meet demanding performance requirements and provide firepower. The General Electric M61A1 20-mm automatic gun system, installed in A-7E, F-14 and F/A-18 aircraft, meets these requirements.

The M61A1 is a six-barrel, rotary-action automatic gun based on the machine gun design of Richard J. Gatling. The gun consists of a revolving cluster of six barrels. Each barrel is fired once per revolution. The M61A1 gun is hydraulically driven, electrically controlled and can fire M50 series ammunition at 4,000 to 7,200 rounds per minute. In Navy aircraft the gun has a pilot selectable firing rate of either 4,000 (GUN LOW) or 6,000 (GUN HIGH) rounds per minute. It is designed for either air-to-air or air-to-ground gunnery missions.

Technical Data Source: NAVEDTRA 12308 Jun90 0502-LP-213-1800

Information provided by codyga@pacbell.net