GAU-12 Equalizer

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	Weapon: GAU-12 Equalizer Type: Autocannon Country of Origin: United States Year Adopted: 1981 Caliber: 25x137mm Action: Rotary Machine Gun Overall Length (mm): 2110.0 Overall Length (in): 83.07 Weight (kg): 120.00 Weight (pounds): 264.55 Effective Range (m): 1500 m Effective Range (yards): 1640.42

The GAU-12/U Equalizer is a five-barrel 25mm rotary cannon developed by General Electric and later produced by General Dynamics. Based on the successful GAU-8/A Avenger, the GAU-12 was scaled down to meet the needs of lighter aircraft and platforms, delivering high rates of fire with improved portability. Utilizing a linkless ammunition feed system and operating via an electrically driven mechanism, the Equalizer was designed for air-to-ground and air-to-air combat, firing 25x137mm high-explosive or armor-piercing rounds.

Production of the GAU-12 began in the 1980s, with the weapon finding a home on platforms such as the AV-8B Harrier II, the AC-130U Spooky gunship, and various naval mounts. The cannon can achieve a maximum cyclic rate of 3,600 rounds per minute and is typically used in short bursts to conserve ammunition and improve accuracy. Its compact size and considerable firepower made it especially suitable for vertical takeoff aircraft like the Harrier, allowing precision strike capabilities without compromising aircraft performance.

The GAU-12 has seen active service in multiple conflicts, including operations in the Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan. It earned a reputation for devastating fire support and reliability under extreme conditions. While overshadowed by the larger GAU-8 in public awareness, the GAU-12 remains a highly respected weapon among military operators and is still in use, with some newer variants such as the GAU-22/A being derived from it for use on the F-35 Lightning II.