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A Marine fires a Minigun mounted in the door of a UH-1Y helicopter.
Episode 3184 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the future of miniguns use in the U.S. Military. The featured story is titled: New Common Minigun Variant To Replace All Existing Versions Eyed By U.S.. It appeared on the TWZ website and was submitted by Joseph Trevithick [joe@twz.com].
Trevithick reported that the U.S. military is considering replacing all existing variants of the iconic Minigun with a single standardized model designated the GAU-24/A. The six-barrel, electrically powered 7.62x51mm Gatling-style machine gun has been in service since the 1960s and currently exists in numerous versions across the Department of Defense, creating logistical and supply chain challenges due to non-interchangeable parts.
The U.S. Navy’s Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), through its Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons, recently issued a request for information to identify manufacturers capable of producing the GAU-24/A using a government-owned technical data package. The goal is to determine an acquisition strategy for a common replacement weapon. Under a tentative plan, five initial GAU-24/A guns would be delivered to Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane for testing within 12 months of contract award, with broader efforts potentially beginning in fiscal year 2027 and lasting three to five years.
While no specific technical requirements have been disclosed, standardization would simplify maintenance and sustainment for the thousands of Miniguns still in service. Originally developed by General Electric, the Minigun saw extensive combat use during the Vietnam War on helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and gunships, and has since evolved into lighter, more reliable, and maritime-optimized variants produced by multiple manufacturers.
Today, Miniguns remain widely employed on aircraft, vehicles, and watercraft, especially by special operations forces, for suppression and close-in defense. Though alternative calibers have been discussed, the weapon’s continued use of standard 7.62mm ammunition and proven effectiveness suggest it will remain a staple—potentially in a single, unified form—for years to come.
Listen to Episode 3184 and discover more about the future of mimigun use in the U.S. Military.
