The A-10 warthog

[RMAC757]

The A-16 30mm gun was belly mounted... 4 barreled and vibrated the aircraft so badly it was completely inaccurate and would likely shake the airframe to pieces.

http://www.f-16.net/f-16_versions_article18.html

There were blocks of the F/A-16 that did use the Pave Claw Pod (GAU-13) but the main program focused blocks had the main gun internalized on the left side. "This project failed because the 30 mm gun would heat up and senge( I think they meant singe) the inner components of the left fuselage". The cannon was mounted on the inner left side of the aircraft. Trust me on this one. There was more than just one program involving the F-16 to replace the A-10. Several concepts were tried out on the Viper, including the Gau-13 cannon on a pod which was actually deployed and was a miserable failure. It was akin to the make shift Suu-23 pod on the F-4 (which was more successful ) they used during Vietnam. The more dedicated version was not meant to use a pod . Notice the cannon on the left side. In my opinion the A-7 would've been a better option for a problem that didn't exsist. The Air Force Brass has not or ever will love the A-10. Their latest threat is that their won't be enought mechanics to maintain to main the A-10 and F-35 fleets. One way or another they'll probaby get their way one day. A good buddy of mine at work, Former Marine Hornet driver, current A-10 Guard driver said it the best " No better way to kill a 19th century terrorist than with a 19th century airplane". I think that was meant as a compliment.


and yes I am a nerd with airplanes.

[clublights]

. Notice the cannon on the left side.

You mean the standard cannon port of EVERY F-16 made ??





I grew up an Air Force brat ..... Near Nellis And Hill AFB's ... I kinda have been studying fighters since I was old enough to hold the books in my own hands...

[RMAC757]

You mean the standard cannon port of EVERY F-16 made ??





I grew up an Air Force brat ..... Near Nellis And Hill AFB's ... I kinda have been studying fighters since I was old enough to hold the books in my own hands...

Yes, that is the same gun port that is on every F-16 ever made....but it was a different gun, a 30mm cannon as apposed to the standard 20mm Vulcan. The belly prodded GAU's were deployed on over 20 aircraft and encountered severe stability problems. They flew missions in Desert Storm. The ( block 16's I believe ) A-16 test production variant only had 2 models created before it was scratched, both were based at Shaw. Like I said earlier, there wasn't just "one" variation. The production included a strengthened wing structure along with the 30mm cannon. There was only one dedicated production model. The heat from the 30mm burned the aircraft "internals". That is why it was stopped. We probably have a lot in common if your into fighter/fighter history.