Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-6-23

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Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-6-23
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Type Rotary cannon
Place of origin Soviet Union
Production history
Designer Vassily P. Gryazev and Arkady G. Shipunov
Manufacturer KBP Instrument Design Bureau Tula
Specifications
Weight 73-76 kg (161-167 lb)
Length 1.4 m (4 ft 7 in)
Height 18 cm (7 in)
Cartridge 23×115mm AM-23
Barrels 6, Rifled
Action Gas-operated
Rate of fire 10,000 rpm[citation needed]
Muzzle velocity 715 m/s (2345 ft/s)
Feed system Belt or linkless feed system

The Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-6-23 (Russian: Грязев-Шипунов ГШ-6-23) (GRAU designation: 9A-620 for GSh-6-23, 9A-768 for GSh-6-23M modernized variant) is a six-barreled 23 mm rotary cannon used by some modern Soviet/Russian military aircraft.

The GSh-6-23 differs from most American multi-barreled aircraft cannon in that it is gas-operated, rather than externally powered via an electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic system. Although the engineering difficulties involved in producing a gas-operated rotary cannon with such a high rate of fire are considerable, they create less of a drain on the aircraft's power systems.

The GSh-6-23 uses the 23x115 Russian AM-23 round, fed via linked cartridge belt or a linkless feed system.[1] The linkless system, adopted after problems with the belt feed, is limited to 8,500 rpm.[2][better source needed] Fire control is electrical, using a 27v DC system. The cannon has 10 pyrotechnic cocking charges, similar to those used in European gas-operated revolver cannons such as the DEFA 554 or Mauser BK-27.

The rapid rate of fire exhausts ammunition quickly: the Mikoyan MiG-31 aircraft, for example, with 260 rounds of ammunition (800 rounds maximum), would empty its magazine in less than two seconds.

The GSh-6-23 is used by the Sukhoi Su-24 attack aircraft, the MiG-31 interceptor aircraft, and the now-obsolete Sukhoi Su-15 among others. However, after two Su-24s were lost because of premature shell detonation in 1983, and because of some other problems with gun usage (such as system failures), usage of the GSh-6-23 was stopped by a decision of the Soviet Air Force Command. At present all aircraft in the Russian Air Force are flying with fully operational guns, but without ammunition.[3]

It is also used in the SPPU-6 gun pod, which can traverse to -45° elevation, and +-45° azimuth.

See also

References

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  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  • Rapid Fire, Anthony G. Williams, Airlife UK, August 2000
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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