page_title: Rotary cannon
hierarchical_section_title: Rotary cannon
caption_attribution_description: Inspection of the gatling gun of an A-10 Thunderbolt II, at Osan Air Base, Korea. CREDIT: U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Bradley C. Church. SOURCE: http://www.af.mil/photos/index.asp?page=43 COPYRIGHT: Quote from af.mil: Information presented is considered public information and may be distributed or copied. Use of appropriate byline/photo/image credits is requested. PICTURE PREPARED for Wikipedia by Adrian Pingstone in May 2004.
context_page_description: A rotary cannon, rotary autocannon, or Gatling-type cannon is a rapid-firing weapon that uses multiple barrels in a rotating cluster to provide a sustained rate of fire and saturation greater than single-barreled autocannons of equivalent caliber. The loading, firing, and unloading functions are performed simultaneously in different barrels as they rotate, and the rotation also permits the barrels some time to cool. The rotating barrel cluster on most Gatling-type guns is powered by an external force such as an electric motor, although gas-operated versions have also been developed.
  The cyclic multi-barrel design synchronizes the firing/reloading sequence. Each barrel fires a single shot when it reaches a certain point in the cycle, after which the spent cartridge is ejected and then a new round loaded. During the cycle, the barrel transfers some heat to the surrounding air.
  Due to the size and weight of rotary cannon, they are typically mounted on aircraft or ships.
  Rotary cannons are often used in close-in weapon systems.
context_section_description: A rotary cannon, rotary autocannon, or Gatling-type cannon is a rapid-firing weapon that uses multiple barrels in a rotating cluster to provide a sustained rate of fire and saturation greater than single-barreled autocannons of equivalent caliber. The loading, firing, and unloading functions are performed simultaneously in different barrels as they rotate, and the rotation also permits the barrels some time to cool. The rotating barrel cluster on most Gatling-type guns is powered by an external force such as an electric motor, although gas-operated versions have also been developed.
  The cyclic multi-barrel design synchronizes the firing/reloading sequence. Each barrel fires a single shot when it reaches a certain point in the cycle, after which the spent cartridge is ejected and then a new round loaded. During the cycle, the barrel transfers some heat to the surrounding air.
  Due to the size and weight of rotary cannon, they are typically mounted on aircraft or ships.
  Rotary cannons are often used in close-in weapon systems.
caption: The GAU-8 Avenger seven-barrelled 30 mm rotary cannon of an A-10 Thunderbolt II
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