GSh-30-2K vs GAU-8A

[marcos]

I was of the opinion that the GAU-8A was better because it had far more muzzle energy and a higher rate of fire. But then I looked at weight and the GSh-30-2K is only about 40% of the weight and the HE projectiles are slightly larger and have a higher filling percentage.

 

So would 2 GSh-30-2Ks be better than one GAU-8?

[EtherealN]

Next step of the investigation: rate of fire and muzzle velocity. :)

 

(GAU-8A wins both, with margin.)

 

Point here being: since velocity squares in your projectile energy, it has direct bearing to penetration beyond what can be indicated by just adding more bullets from the other gun.

Whether it actually ends up winning in combat useability I cannot say, that would require access to test data from both sides that is quite classified, I expect.

Edited December 31, 2012 by EtherealN

[danilop]

Beside velocity and projectile construction, there is ballistic property known as Sectional Density of projectile which is very important to penetration. Basically, longer projectiles in the same caliber, launched at same speeds have much better penetration.

 

That is why US military experimented with ultra high velocity (beyond mach 4) aluminum projectiles for defeating armor (less specific weight result in longer projectile in the given caliber)

 

GAU-8 round, being conventional in speed, benefits greatly from Depleted Uranium (ultra high density) projectile construction ...

 

Also round and flat nose projectiles have greater penetration than spitzer construction (which is counterintuitive on first thought), however, ballistic trajectory is worse for non-spitzer construction - so designer have to make a compromise.

[marcos]

Next step of the investigation: rate of fire and muzzle velocity. :)

 

(GAU-8A wins both, with margin.)

Not if there are 2 GSh-30-2Ks, which still weigh less than one GAU-8. The rate of fire will be 50% greater 2 x 3000rpm) with only a ~10% reduction in muzzle KE.

[danilop]

The only real world advantage of GAU-8 vs hypothetical 2xGsh-30-2k would be in ammo; armor piercing round specifically - that depleted uranium core does the real damage to armor (and environment, BTW).

 

Kinetic energy is highly overrated ballistic property - projectile construction plays much more important role than modest difference in KE.

[marcos]

Theoretically can't any round be given a DU core?

[danilop]

Yes. Russians could do it, like any other nation which has uranium enrichment /nuclear reactor possibility. Basically, DU is nuclear reactor waste and/or byproduct of uranium enrichment:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depleted_uranium

 

Russians do not expect massive armor assault by NATO, so basically DU round is unnecessary for their Air to Ground doctrine, although they have DU rounds in 115 and 125mm caliber guns on T series tanks, probably more ...

Edited January 1, 2013 by danilop

[Groove]

I don't it matters which of the guns are better if you are on the recieving part of this lovebirds.

[Vekkinho]

That's true...