{"id":814,"date":"2025-07-04T23:45:19","date_gmt":"2025-07-04T23:45:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visionzone.designswebs.com\/cryhavoctac\/?p=814"},"modified":"2025-07-04T23:45:19","modified_gmt":"2025-07-04T23:45:19","slug":"the-usaf-created-a-mini-rifle-that-fits-in-its-ejection-seats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/visionzone.designswebs.com\/cryhavoctac\/2025\/07\/04\/the-usaf-created-a-mini-rifle-that-fits-in-its-ejection-seats\/","title":{"rendered":"The USAF Created a Mini Rifle That Fits in Its Ejection Seats"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"content-lead css-1f8o566 et2g3wt5\">\n<div class=\"content-lead-image css-sm2oir e17huqc62\" data-theme-key=\"lead-image-wrapper\" data-journey-blur=\"true\">\n<div class=\"css-96439d e17huqc61\"><picture class=\"css-1oxikel e1i0vlu30\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Auto part, \" src=\"https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/200212-f-f3456-1001-1-1582064765.jpg?crop=0.753xw:1.00xh;0.157xw,0&amp;resize=640:*\" sizes=\"100vw\" alt=\"Auto part, \" width=\"2016\" height=\"1512\" \/><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"css-s3tu6h e1geg53v2\" data-theme-key=\"photo-credit-creditor\">Air Force<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body-content article-body standard-body-content css-zl6cs0 et2g3wt6\" data-journey-body=\"standard-article\">\n<ul class=\"css-1wk73g0 emevuu60\" data-node-id=\"0\">\n<li data-node-id=\"0.0\">The\u00a0<a class=\"body-link css-1kk1geb emevuu60\" href=\"https:\/\/www.guns.com\/news\/2020\/02\/18\/the-air-forces-neat-o-gau-5a-an-m-4-packed-for-ejection-seats\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.guns.com\/news\/2020\/02\/18\/the-air-forces-neat-o-gau-5a-an-m-4-packed-for-ejection-seats\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"GAU-5A\" data-node-id=\"0.0.1\">GAU-5A<\/a>\u00a0is a modified M4 carbine designed to keep aircrews alive in emergencies.<\/li>\n<li data-node-id=\"0.1\">The weapon was rebuilt to fit in the storage compartments of ejection seats.<\/li>\n<li data-node-id=\"0.2\">In emergencies, the GAU-5A can be used to ward off enemy search parties until rescue.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr class=\"css-18pb4rg emevuu60\" data-node-id=\"1\" \/>\n<p class=\"css-i9p093 emevuu60\" data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"2\">The U.S. Air Force developed a new assault rifle that breaks down into two pieces, allowing it to be stored in the ejection seat of modern jets. The GAU-5A carbine is designed to provide the firepower necessary for aircrew to defend themselves until rescue.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-i9p093 emevuu60\" data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"3\">The GAU-5A was designed by the Air Force Gunsmith Shop, which, according to Military.com, was formed in 1958 to repair and refurbish all small arms for the Air Force, from pistols to .50-caliber machine guns. The Air Force maintains a large arsenal of firearms carried by security forces, mounted on vehicles, and packed away for aircrews.<\/p>\n<section class=\"embed\" data-embed=\"body-image\" data-lazy-id=\"P0-12\" data-node-id=\"4\" data-hydrated=\"1\">\n<div class=\"align-center size-small embed css-1xqjcsc e1fodxfw4\" data-embed=\"body-image\">\n<div class=\"css-uwraif e1fodxfw3\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"css-0 e1g79fud0\" title=\"Gun, Firearm, Trigger, Airsoft, Airsoft gun, Gun barrel, Air gun, Gun accessory, Recreation, Shooting, \" src=\"https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/200212-f-f3456-1004-1582064824.jpeg?resize=640:*\" sizes=\"100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/200212-f-f3456-1004-1582064824.jpeg?resize=320:* 640w, https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/200212-f-f3456-1004-1582064824.jpeg?resize=480:* 980w, https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/200212-f-f3456-1004-1582064824.jpeg?resize=640:* 1120w\" alt=\"Gun, Firearm, Trigger, Airsoft, Airsoft gun, Gun barrel, Air gun, Gun accessory, Recreation, Shooting, \" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" data-nimg=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"css-swqnqv e1fodxfw2\"><span class=\"css-s3tu6h e1geg53v2\" data-theme-key=\"photo-credit-creditor\">Air Force.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"css-11fq1uu e1fodxfw1\" data-element=\"caption\">The GAU-5A broken down into two pieces.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"css-i9p093 emevuu60\" data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"5\">The Gunsmith Shop received a requirement for the weapon with the ability to hit a \u201c<u data-node-id=\"5.1\"><a class=\"body-link css-1kk1geb emevuu60\" href=\"https:\/\/www.guns.com\/news\/2020\/02\/18\/the-air-forces-neat-o-gau-5a-an-m-4-packed-for-ejection-seats\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.guns.com\/news\/2020\/02\/18\/the-air-forces-neat-o-gau-5a-an-m-4-packed-for-ejection-seats\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"man-sized target at 200 meters\" data-node-id=\"5.1.0\">man-sized target at 200 meters<\/a>,<\/u>\u201d according to Guns.com. That\u2019s considerably farther than the effective range of the new M17 pistol. While M-4 carbines are plentiful in Air Force service, they\u2019re also much larger, with an average length of approximately 33 inches and a weight of seven pounds.<\/p>\n<section id=\"article-ad-breaker-leaderboard-0-wrapper\" class=\"breaker-ad css-14ciynn e1spmc111\" data-type=\"breaker-ad\" data-journey-unblur=\"true\">\n<div class=\"gpt-breaker-container breaker-ad clearfix css-172ho3e e1spmc110\" data-journey-unblur=\"true\">\n<div id=\"article-ad-breaker-leaderboard-0\" class=\"ad-container css-wbdcp0 ewg5wdb1\" data-slot-type=\"breaker\">\n<div id=\"gpt_lb_0\" class=\"gpt-adslot noskim\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"embed\" data-embed=\"watch-next\" data-lazy-id=\"P0-13\" data-node-id=\"6\" data-hydrated=\"1\">\n<div class=\"css-e3gw2c e1a8voem5\" data-embed=\"watch-next\">\n<div class=\"css-1lr0ra2 e1a8voem4\">\n<div class=\"css-1ocka91 e1a8voem3\"><span class=\"css-1yitzl8 e1a8voem2\"><span class=\"css-0 e1a8voem1\">More From Popular Mechanics<\/span><\/span><span class=\"css-132lhed e1a8voem0\">\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"__resp-container css-1ui7hop e6inl0f0\">\n<div class=\"video-player css-guxj2g e1hzgkwu0\">\n<div class=\"video-player-wrapper\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"css-1d3dqod e7hrar04\">\n<div class=\"css-6apai3 e7hrar02\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.popularmechanics.com\/_assets\/design-tokens\/fre\/static\/icons\/buffering.046027b.svg\" alt=\"loading video...\" width=\"70px\" height=\"70px\" \/><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"e7hrar03 css-g939jb e1g79fud0\" title=\"Video player poster image\" src=\"https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/vidthumb\/18a981c0-4556-482c-90a9-c121bc31ec74\/thumb_1920x1080_00001_1740753808_75436.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&amp;resize=1200:*\" sizes=\"100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/vidthumb\/18a981c0-4556-482c-90a9-c121bc31ec74\/thumb_1920x1080_00001_1740753808_75436.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&amp;resize=640:* 640w, https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/vidthumb\/18a981c0-4556-482c-90a9-c121bc31ec74\/thumb_1920x1080_00001_1740753808_75436.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&amp;resize=980:* 980w, https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/vidthumb\/18a981c0-4556-482c-90a9-c121bc31ec74\/thumb_1920x1080_00001_1740753808_75436.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&amp;resize=1200:* 1120w\" alt=\"preview for Popular Mechanics All Sections\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1000\" data-nimg=\"1\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"css-i9p093 emevuu60\" data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"7\">The GAU-5A is a modified M-4 carbine, the same weapon used by U.S. Army and Marine Corps personnel, as well as Air Force security personnel. The gun is modified into a \u201ctakedown\u201d weapon, breaking down into two major pieces for storage purposes. The gun and four 30-round magazines loaded with 5.56-millimeter ammunition are designed to fit in a 16 x 14 x 3.5-inch compartment in an ACES II ejection seat.<\/p>\n<section class=\"embed\" data-embed=\"body-image\" data-lazy-id=\"P0-14\" data-node-id=\"8\" data-hydrated=\"1\">\n<div class=\"align-center size-medium embed css-6i9ia4 e1fodxfw4\" data-embed=\"body-image\">\n<div class=\"css-uwraif e1fodxfw3\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"css-0 e1g79fud0\" title=\"Gun, Firearm, Trigger, Rifle, Airsoft, Airsoft gun, Machine gun, Air gun, Gun barrel, Gun accessory, \" src=\"https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/200212-f-f3456-1002-1582064871.jpg?resize=980:*\" sizes=\"100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/200212-f-f3456-1002-1582064871.jpg?resize=640:* 640w, https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/200212-f-f3456-1002-1582064871.jpg?resize=768:* 980w, https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/200212-f-f3456-1002-1582064871.jpg?resize=980:* 1120w\" alt=\"Gun, Firearm, Trigger, Rifle, Airsoft, Airsoft gun, Machine gun, Air gun, Gun barrel, Gun accessory, \" width=\"780\" height=\"585\" data-nimg=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"css-swqnqv e1fodxfw2\"><span class=\"css-s3tu6h e1geg53v2\" data-theme-key=\"photo-credit-creditor\">U.S. Air Force<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"css-11fq1uu e1fodxfw1\" data-element=\"caption\">The GAU-5A fully extended, minus magazine.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"css-i9p093 emevuu60\" data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"9\">A normal M4 carbine can break down into two major pieces, the lower receiver and upper receiver, but the resulting pieces still won\u2019t fit into the ejection seat compartment. The Gunsmith Shop makes several modifications to an existing M4 to create a GAU-5A. First, it replaces the standard 14.5-inch barrel with a 12.5-inch barrel to create an overall shorter length. Next, it installed a Cry Havoc Tactical Quick Release Barrel (QRB) kit, which allows the barrel and handguard to be removed. The pistol grip also folds backward. Finally the bulky front sight post is removed and replaced with front and rear fold-down sights.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-i9p093 emevuu60\" data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"10\">If a pilot bails out over hostile territory, he or she simply removes the weapon case from the back of the ejection seat, folds the pistol grip forward, fits the barrel on the rifle, pops up the sights, and inserts a loaded magazine. The entire process takes 30 seconds.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-i9p093 emevuu60\" data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"11\">The U.S. Air Force has issued so-called \u201cbailout\u201d weapons for decades for use by aircrew in the event of a crash behind enemy lines or in a remote region. Even in a non-shooting war, it could take days for search and rescue units to locate a downed pilot, and a bailout weapon provides not only a source of security but also a means to bagging small game. Ejection seats only provide so much in military rations and eventually a pilot might be forced to scavenge for food.<\/p>\n<section class=\"embed\" data-embed=\"body-image\" data-lazy-id=\"P0-15\" data-node-id=\"12\" data-hydrated=\"1\">\n<div class=\"align-center size-medium embed css-6i9ia4 e1fodxfw4\" data-embed=\"body-image\">\n<div class=\"css-uwraif e1fodxfw3\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"css-0 e1g79fud0\" title=\"Practical shooting, Recreation, Military, Soldier, Sport venue, Uniform, Military uniform, Marines, \" src=\"https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/1000w-q95-1582065075.jpg?resize=980:*\" sizes=\"100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/1000w-q95-1582065075.jpg?resize=640:* 640w, https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/1000w-q95-1582065075.jpg?resize=768:* 980w, https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/1000w-q95-1582065075.jpg?resize=980:* 1120w\" alt=\"Practical shooting, Recreation, Military, Soldier, Sport venue, Uniform, Military uniform, Marines, \" width=\"1000\" height=\"668\" data-nimg=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"css-swqnqv e1fodxfw2\"><span class=\"css-s3tu6h e1geg53v2\" data-theme-key=\"photo-credit-creditor\">U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Charles Delano<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"css-11fq1uu e1fodxfw1\" data-element=\"caption\">U.S. Air Force aircrews qualify with their M9 pistols.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"css-i9p093 emevuu60\" data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"13\">The GAU-5A is one of the more capable of the Air Force\u2019s bailout weapons. In the past pilots have carried\u00a0<u data-node-id=\"13.1\"><a class=\"body-link css-1kk1geb emevuu60\" href=\"https:\/\/www.americanrifleman.org\/articles\/2015\/7\/28\/us-air-force-combat-masterpieces\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.americanrifleman.org\/articles\/2015\/7\/28\/us-air-force-combat-masterpieces\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Smith &amp; Wesson .38 caliber revolvers\" data-node-id=\"13.1.0\">Smith &amp; Wesson .38 caliber revolvers<\/a><\/u>\u2014a much less than ideal weapon that was neither a good match for the enemy\u2019s AK-47 nor a good hunting weapon. This was followed by the\u00a0<a class=\"body-link css-1kk1geb emevuu60\" href=\"https:\/\/www.henryusa.com\/rifles\/u-s-survival-ar-7\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.henryusa.com\/rifles\/u-s-survival-ar-7\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"AR-7\" data-node-id=\"13.3\"><u data-node-id=\"13.3.0\">AR-7<\/u><\/a>, a compact .22 rifle that floated and was a decent small game hunting weapon but not useful against anyone tracking downed aircrews. In recent years, pilots have carried the Beretta M9 pistol. The high velocity 5.56-millimeter round fired by the GAU-5A might not leave much left of a squirrel, but it is a capable weapon against ground forces closing in on trapped aircrews, ideally holding them off until the cavalry can arrive.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-i9p093 emevuu60\" data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"14\">The Gunsmith Shop has built and shipped out 2,700 GAU-5As to Air Force units worldwide, at a total cost of $2.7 million.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Air Force The\u00a0GAU-5A\u00a0is a modified M4 carbine designed to keep aircrews alive in emergencies. The weapon was rebuilt to fit in the storage compartments of ejection seats. In emergencies, the GAU-5A can be used to ward off enemy search parties until rescue. The U.S. Air Force developed a new assault rifle that breaks down into two pieces, allowing it to be stored in the ejection seat of modern jets. The GAU-5A carbine is designed to provide the firepower necessary for aircrew to defend themselves until rescue. The GAU-5A was designed by the Air Force Gunsmith Shop, which, according to Military.com, was formed in 1958 to repair and refurbish all small arms for the Air Force, from pistols to .50-caliber machine guns. The Air Force maintains a large arsenal of firearms carried by security forces, mounted on vehicles, and packed away for aircrews. Air Force. The GAU-5A broken down into two pieces. The Gunsmith Shop received a requirement for the weapon with the ability to hit a \u201cman-sized target at 200 meters,\u201d according to Guns.com. That\u2019s considerably farther than the effective range of the new M17 pistol. While M-4 carbines are plentiful in Air Force service, they\u2019re also much larger, with an average length of approximately 33 inches and a weight of seven pounds. More From Popular Mechanics\u00a0 The GAU-5A is a modified M-4 carbine, the same weapon used by U.S. Army and Marine Corps personnel, as well as Air Force security personnel. The gun is modified into a \u201ctakedown\u201d weapon, breaking down into two major pieces for storage purposes. The gun and four 30-round magazines loaded with 5.56-millimeter ammunition are designed to fit in a 16 x 14 x 3.5-inch compartment in an ACES II ejection seat. U.S. Air Force The GAU-5A fully extended, minus magazine. A normal M4 carbine can break down into two major pieces, the lower receiver and upper receiver, but the resulting pieces still won\u2019t fit into the ejection seat compartment. The Gunsmith Shop makes several modifications to an existing M4 to create a GAU-5A. First, it replaces the standard 14.5-inch barrel with a 12.5-inch barrel to create an overall shorter length. Next, it installed a Cry Havoc Tactical Quick Release Barrel (QRB) kit, which allows the barrel and handguard to be removed. The pistol grip also folds backward. Finally the bulky front sight post is removed and replaced with front and rear fold-down sights. If a pilot bails out over hostile territory, he or she simply removes the weapon case from the back of the ejection seat, folds the pistol grip forward, fits the barrel on the rifle, pops up the sights, and inserts a loaded magazine. The entire process takes 30 seconds. The U.S. Air Force has issued so-called \u201cbailout\u201d weapons for decades for use by aircrew in the event of a crash behind enemy lines or in a remote region. Even in a non-shooting war, it could take days for search and rescue units to locate a downed pilot, and a bailout weapon provides not only a source of security but also a means to bagging small game. Ejection seats only provide so much in military rations and eventually a pilot might be forced to scavenge for food. U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Charles Delano U.S. Air Force aircrews qualify with their M9 pistols. The GAU-5A is one of the more capable of the Air Force\u2019s bailout weapons. In the past pilots have carried\u00a0Smith &amp; Wesson .38 caliber revolvers\u2014a much less than ideal weapon that was neither a good match for the enemy\u2019s AK-47 nor a good hunting weapon. This was followed by the\u00a0AR-7, a compact .22 rifle that floated and was a decent small game hunting weapon but not useful against anyone tracking downed aircrews. In recent years, pilots have carried the Beretta M9 pistol. The high velocity 5.56-millimeter round fired by the GAU-5A might not leave much left of a squirrel, but it is a capable weapon against ground forces closing in on trapped aircrews, ideally holding them off until the cavalry can arrive. The Gunsmith Shop has built and shipped out 2,700 GAU-5As to Air Force units worldwide, at a total cost of $2.7 million.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":815,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-814","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/visionzone.designswebs.com\/cryhavoctac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/814","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/visionzone.designswebs.com\/cryhavoctac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/visionzone.designswebs.com\/cryhavoctac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visionzone.designswebs.com\/cryhavoctac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visionzone.designswebs.com\/cryhavoctac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=814"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/visionzone.designswebs.com\/cryhavoctac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/814\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":816,"href":"https:\/\/visionzone.designswebs.com\/cryhavoctac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/814\/revisions\/816"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visionzone.designswebs.com\/cryhavoctac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/815"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/visionzone.designswebs.com\/cryhavoctac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=814"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visionzone.designswebs.com\/cryhavoctac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=814"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visionzone.designswebs.com\/cryhavoctac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=814"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}