Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews
  • Guns
    • Rifles
    • Handguns
    • Shotguns
    • Airguns
    • Specialty Guns
    • Custom Guns
  • Ammo
    • Handgun Ammo
    • Rifle Ammo
    • Reloading
  • Parts
    • Handgun Parts
    • Rifle Parts
  • Accessories
    • Optics & Sights
      • Night Vision
      • Thermal Vision
    • Lasers & Lights
    • Suppressors
    • Holsters
    • Slings
    • Shooting Rests
  • Gear
    • Ears & Eyes
    • Knives
    • Apparel
    • Tactical-Gear
    • Storage
    • Flashlights
    • Electronics
    • Less Lethal
  • Lifestyle
    • Sport Shooting
      • Hunting
    • Competition Shooting
    • Precision Shooting/Long Range
    • Training
    • First Aid
    • Pop Culture
    • History
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Gun Facts & Laws
    • Police News
    • Military News
    • Politics
  • Videos
No Result
View All Result
Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews
  • Guns
    • Rifles
    • Handguns
    • Shotguns
    • Airguns
    • Specialty Guns
    • Custom Guns
  • Ammo
    • Handgun Ammo
    • Rifle Ammo
    • Reloading
  • Parts
    • Handgun Parts
    • Rifle Parts
  • Accessories
    • Optics & Sights
      • Night Vision
      • Thermal Vision
    • Lasers & Lights
    • Suppressors
    • Holsters
    • Slings
    • Shooting Rests
  • Gear
    • Ears & Eyes
    • Knives
    • Apparel
    • Tactical-Gear
    • Storage
    • Flashlights
    • Electronics
    • Less Lethal
  • Lifestyle
    • Sport Shooting
      • Hunting
    • Competition Shooting
    • Precision Shooting/Long Range
    • Training
    • First Aid
    • Pop Culture
    • History
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Gun Facts & Laws
    • Police News
    • Military News
    • Politics
  • Videos
No Result
View All Result
Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews
No Result
View All Result
 
ENTER TO WIN > Free Gun Friday for your chance to WIN the SIG Sauer P320 AXG Legion and Black Hills HoneyBadger Ammo

USAF to Equip Airmen with GAU-5A Aircrew Self Defense Weapon

Tactical-Life by Tactical-Life
July 4, 2018
in Guns, News, Rifles
0
GAU-5A Aircrew Self Defense Weapon rifle firing

Lt. Gen. Chris Nowland, 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) commander, fires a GAU-5 at the off base shooting range outside of Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, March 24, 2016. American service members have used the GAU-5 since the 1970s.

0
SHARES
97
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
GAU-5A Aircrew Self Defense Weapon rifle firing
Lt. Gen. Chris Nowland, 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) commander, fires a GAU-5 at the off base shooting range outside of Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, March 24, 2016. American service members have used the GAU-5 since the 1970s.
GAU-5A Aircrew Self Defense Weapon rifle ejection seat
From left, Airman 1st Class Ryan Davis, 5th Maintenance Squadron aircrew egress systems apprentice, and Senior Airman Brendon Krabill, aircrew egress systems journeyman, remove shrouds from an ejection seat at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Dec. 18, 2017. These maintainers use time-changing explosive cartridges that ensure all components work in proper sequence.
GAU-5A Aircrew Self Defense Weapon rifle flair search and rescue
Lt. Col. John Buske, director of operations for the Maryland Air National Guard’s 175th Operations Support Squadron, signals an extraction team while assuming the role of downed survivor for the CSAREX ’18 search and rescue exercise at Hardwood Air-to-Ground Weapons Range in central Wisconsin June 26, 2018. Members of the Wisconsin National Guard’s 115th Fighter Wing, 128th Air Control Squadron and 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment joined Airmen assigned to the Maryland Air National Guard’s 175th Wing at Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center for the annual exercise designed to familiarize participants with the identification, location and rescue of survivors in a potential high threat environment.

The U.S. Air Force is equipping its airmen with a new carbine: the GAU-5A Aircrew Self Defense Weapon.

Troy XM177E2 rifle right angle
RELATED STORY

Jungle Warrior: Troy Recreates the Vietnam-Era XM177E2

GAU-5A Rifle

Based on the M4 carbine, the GAU-5A features Cry Havoc Tactical’s Quick Release Barrel, the Air Force Times reports. It’s designed to fit into the standard survival kit under the ejection seat for downed fighter and bomber crews.

“The [GAU-5A] and four full magazines, 30 rounds [each], must all fit in the ejection seat survival kit,” said Maj. Docleia Gibson, Air Combat Command spokeswoman. “This has driven the dimension of 16 x 14 x 3.5 inches.”

In a separate statement to The Firearm Blog, Gibson added that the GAU-5A is “capable of firing a 3-round burst. It uses standard 5.56mm ammunition with an effective range beyond 200m. The weapon can be assembled/disassembled in 60 seconds without tools.”

Gibson told Military.com that the rifle will not replace anything in the USAF survival pack.

“This is just an addition to the current capability that they already have,” she said.

Designation

Interestingly, as The Drive points out, the Air Force already used the GAU-5A designation back in the Vietnam War for a M16 rifle variant. That particular model was equipped with a 10-inch barrel, shorter than the 14.5-inch barrel found on today’s M4s. In addition, the GAU-5A/A was the service’s version of the XM177E2 rifle used by MACV-SOG soldiers. Furthermore, beginning in the ’90s, both of these rifles were modified into a configuration called the GUU-5/P. If the USAF wanted the GAU-5A Aircrew Self Defense Weapon to be a GAU-5A variant, it would have been designated the GAU-5B/A.

Fielding

In any event, the new GAU-5A is being made at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in Texas at a rate of 100 per week. Air Combat Command expects 2,137 in total to be fielded to combat-coded A-10, B-1, B-2, B-52, F-15C, F-15E, F-16, and F-22 aircraft.

“The ASDW will be given to all combat-coded ejection aircraft,” said Gibson. “There are continuous evaluations of Air Force programs and policies. The ASDW allows aircrew to have a longer stand-off range.”

Prior to the new GAU-5A Aircrew Self Defense Weapon, crews used a knife or a personal sidearm for self defense.

Didn't find what you were looking for?

CLICK HERE FOR COMMENTS

RELATED POSTS

The Pointer side-by-side provides a well-appointed, affordable double gun.

Pointer Side-By-Side: A Modern, Affordable Double-Barrel Shotgun

Officers respond to Nashville School Shooting.

VIDEO: Metro Police Respond to Stop Nashville School Shooting

The ATI Omni Hybrid Maxx.

Maxxed Six ARC: Shooting the 6mm ATI Omni Hybrid Maxx

The EAA-imported Girsan MC 14T uses a tip-up barrel system.

Girsan MC 14T: New Tip-Up EDC Pistol Eliminates Slide Racking

Load More

WATCH NOW: TACTICAL-LIFE’s RELOADING ZONE

Discussion about this post

FEATURED POST

The Pointer side-by-side provides a well-appointed, affordable double gun.

Pointer Side-By-Side: A Modern, Affordable Double-Barrel Shotgun

The side-by-side shotgun remains a quintessential American shotgun form. From the Old West to the southern quail fields and home...

Read more

TRENDING

New Jersey LEOSA, federal law

Big Court Win for New Jersey LEOSA Permits

...

The EAA-imported Girsan MC 14T uses a tip-up barrel system.

Girsan MC 14T: New Tip-Up EDC Pistol Eliminates Slide Racking

...

The Dicken Drill is named for Eli Dicken who saved many lives in the Greenwood Mall

The Elisjsha Dicken Drill

...

U.S. Secret Service adopts Glock G47

FIRST LOOK: Glock Just Very Quietly Unveiled the New Glock 47 Pistol

...

PICK A CATEGORY

TACTICS & TRAINING SPOTLIGHT

CMP surplus ammunition.

CMP Surplus Ammo Coming Soon in M2 Ball, .30 Carbine & More

Some big news for trigger pullers recently from the Civilian Marksmanship Program. A wide selection of CMP surplus ammo will...

TACTICS & TRAINING SHOWCASE

Active School Shooter Training: 14 Key Points to Consider

Active School Shooter Training: 14 Key Points to Consider

Tactical Reload Semi-Auto Pistol Step 8

5 Strategies For Effectively Completing a Tactical Reload

The Colt CBX Precision Rifle ushers in a new era in colt bolt-gun offerings.

FIRST LOOK: Colt CBX Precision Chassis Rifle Ready to Compete & Win

Fact vs. Fiction 5 Myths Gunfight Survival lead

5 Common Myths on How to Survive a Gunfight

Standing Your Ground Castle Doctrine lead

Understanding Stand Your Ground Laws and Castle Doctrine

long distance shooting tips

Long-Distance Shooting: 5 Must-Know Tips For Spotters & Shooters

IMPACT Experience Events.

IMPACT Experience Events Redefine Your Long-Range Shooting Limits

Enhance your shooting precision skills in a course with Modern Day Sniper.

Sniper Skills: Taking Your Shooting Precision to the Next Level

Once you find a carry gun that works for you, get another for a spare. These “hammerless” S&W J-frame lightweights are M340 M&P with Hogue Bantam grips, top, and a M442 Airweight with Crimson Trace Lasergrips, below.

10 Commandments of Concealed Carry

AMMO SPOTLIGHT

The Rock River Arms RBG-1S.

Rocking Out: Going Long Range with the Rock River Arms RBG-1S

Spotter up. Steel silhouette at 1,075 yards. Half-value wind, hold right edge. Send it. The shooter presses the trigger, and...

site logo
Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun news, gun reviews and gun magazines for gun enthusiasts, military and law enforcement

Tactical

  • tactical-life.com

Magazines

  • Tactical Life
  • The Complete Book of Reloading
  • Guns of the Old West

Facebook

  • Tactical-Life Facebook
  • Guns of the Old West Facebook

Twitter

  • Tactical-Life Twitter

Self Defense

  • PersonalDefenseWorld.com

Magazines

  • Personal Defense World
  • Combat Handguns

Facebook

  • Personal Defense World Facebook
  • Combat Handguns

Twitter

  • Personal Defense World Twitter

Shooting Lifestyle

  • BallisticMag.com

Magazines

  • BallisticMag.com

Facebook

  • Ballistic Magazine Facebook

Twitter

  • Ballistic Magazine Twitter

Alpha Lifestyle

  • SkillsetMag.com

Magazines

  • Skillset

Facebook

  • Skillset Magazine Facebook

Twitter

  • Skillset Magazine Twitter

Instagram

  • Skillset Magazine Instagram
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • California Privacy Notice
  • Cookie Policy
© Athlon Outdoors, All Rights Reserved.
You use of this website constitutes and manifests your acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and awareness of the California Privacy Rights. Pursuant to U.S. Copyright law, as well as other applicable federal and state laws, the content on this website may not be reproduced, distributed, displayed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, without the prior, express, and written permission of Athlon Outdoors.

Manage your GDPR consents by clicking here. Manage your CCPA consents by clicking here.
No Result
View All Result
  • Guns
    • Rifles
    • Handguns
    • Shotguns
    • Airguns
    • Specialty Guns
    • Custom Guns
  • Ammo
    • Handgun Ammo
    • Rifle Ammo
    • Reloading
  • Parts
    • Handgun Parts
    • Rifle Parts
  • Accessories
    • Optics & Sights
      • Night Vision
      • Thermal Vision
    • Lasers & Lights
    • Suppressors
    • Holsters
    • Maintenance & Tools
  • Gear
    • Ears & Eyes
    • Knives
    • Apparel
    • Tactical-Gear
    • Knives
    • Storage
    • Flashlights
    • Electronics
    • Less Lethal
  • Lifestyle
    • Sport Shooting
      • Hunting
    • competition-shooting
    • Precision Shooting/Long Range
    • Training
    • First Aid
    • Survival
    • Pop Culture
    • History
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Gun Facts & Laws
    • Police News
    • Military News
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Contact Us

© 2023 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.