Canon

GAU-23/AW/Linkless Feed Autocannon: Difference between revisions

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{{era|HCW}}
{{Status|Canon}}
[[File:UNSC_Hawk_Chaingun.jpg|right|325px|thumb|Concept art of the GAU-23.]]
{{Weapon infobox
|name=GAU-23/AW/Linkless Feed Autocannon
|image= [[File:UNSC Hawk Chaingun.jpg|300px]]
Concept art of the GAU-23.
|manufacturer=
|series=
|type=[[:Category:Autocannons|Autocannon]]
|cost=
|variant=
|service=
|length=
|width=
|height=
|weight=
|ammotype=20mm ammunition
*[[M718 SAPHEI]]
*[[PGU-42/B API]]
|capacity=
|feed=Linkless feed
|operation=Fully automatic
|rate=
|velocity=
|optics=
|range=
}}
The '''GAU-23/AW/Linkless Feed Autocannon''' is a weapon used by the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine Corps]], mounted on [[AV-22 Sparrowhawk]]s{{Ref/Book|EVG|Page=182}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Guide|Halo Wars: Official Strategy Guide|Page=45-46}}, [[AV-14 Hornet]]s{{Ref/Reuse|Guide}} and [[AC-220 Vulture]] gunships.{{Ref/Reuse|Guide}}{{Ref/Book|EVG|Page=202}}{{Ref/Site|Id=waypoint|URL=http://halo.xbox.com/en-us#/intel/theuniverse/tech/gallery/vulture/d7c47141-fe31-43ff-8698-3ec01a19b356?filter=all|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=AC-220 Vulture gunship|D=25|M=03|Y=2011}}


The '''GAU-23/AW/Linkless Feed Autocannon''' is a weapon used by the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine Corps]], mounted on [[AV-22 Sparrowhawk]]s<ref>'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 182''</ref> and [[AC-220 Vulture]] gunships.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 202''</ref> It was capable of engaging a number of enemy units of various types, ranging from infantry, to armored vehicles and aircraft.<ref>'''[[Halo Wars]]''', ''leader cards''</ref> 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.<ref name="units">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-local-units '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Canon Fodder: Local Units'']</ref><ref group="note">Page 182 of ''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]'' indicates that the cannon fires 30mm ammunition.</ref> The Vulture heavy gunship's version uses a .50 caliber round that is heavier than the Sparrowhawk's ammunition.<ref>'''[[Halo Wars: Official Strategy Guide]]'''</ref><ref name="fifty" group="note"> It would seem that this is a typo, as .50 caliber ammunition is much, much smaller and weaker than 20mm autocannon ammunition. The source material may have meant 50mm, as this is more consistent with the weapon's damage, report, and blast radius.</ref>
==Overview==
===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.{{Ref/Generic|[[Halo Wars Limited Edition]]|[[Personnel profile]] - [[Ellen Anders]]|LocalArchive=:File:HWDE Anders LeaderProfile.jpg}} 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.{{Ref/Site|Id=units|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-local-units|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Local Units|D=30|M=06|Y=2021}}
 
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 {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} during the [[Harvest campaign]], [[Battle for Arcadia]] and [[Battle of Trove]].{{Ref/Game|HW|In-game models}}
 
==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 [[:Wikipedia:.50 BMG|.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.{{Ref/Reuse|units}} 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.{{Ref/Anthology|Evo|Dirt|Page=113}}
 
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:HWunit Hornet.png|A chin-mounted GAU/23 on an AV-14 Hornet.
File:HWunit Sparrowhawk.png|Dual-autocannons mounted on the wingtips of the AV-22 Sparrowhawk.
File:HaloWars-Vulture.png|Quad-autocannons mounted on the wings of the AC-220 Vulture.
File:HW VultureAutocannons.png|Close up of the quad-autocannons on the AC-220 Vulture.
</gallery>


==List of appearances==
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo Wars]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo Wars]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''  
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''  
 
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
==Note==
<references group="note"/>


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}


{{UNSC heavy weapons}}
{{UNSC heavy weapons}}

Latest revision as of 09:31, December 11, 2023

GAU-23/AW/Linkless Feed Autocannon
UNSC Hawk Chaingun.jpg

Concept art of the GAU-23.

Production overview

Type:

Autocannon

Specifications

Ammunition type:

20mm ammunition

Feed system:

Linkless feed

Operation:

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]

Overview[edit]

Design details[edit]

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[edit]

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 Trove.[7]

Notes[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

  • A chin-mounted GAU/23 on an AV-14 Hornet.

    A chin-mounted GAU/23 on an AV-14 Hornet.

  • Dual-autocannons mounted on the wingtips of the AV-22 Sparrowhawk.

    Dual-autocannons mounted on the wingtips of the AV-22 Sparrowhawk.

  • Quad-autocannons mounted on the wings of the AC-220 Vulture.

    Quad-autocannons mounted on the wings of the AC-220 Vulture.

  • Close up of the quad-autocannons on the AC-220 Vulture.

    Close up of the quad-autocannons on the AC-220 Vulture.

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 182
  2. ^ a b c Halo Wars: Official Strategy Guide, page 45-46
  3. ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 202
  4. ^ Halo Waypoint, AC-220 Vulture gunship (Retrieved on Mar 25, 2011) [archive]
  5. ^ Halo Wars Limited Edition, Personnel profile - Ellen Anders [archive]
  6. ^ a b Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Local Units (Retrieved on Jun 30, 2021) [archive]
  7. ^ Halo Wars, In-game models
  8. ^ Halo: Evolutions - Dirt, page 113

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Heavy armaments of humanity
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