GAU-18 M2 Machine Gun

 

ACME produces GAU-18 M2/M3 machine gun simulators that give the full-force, full rate of recoil feel of the actual weapon in a full scale gun replica that can be mounted on any aircraft, watercraft or vehicle simulator.  Our machine gun simulators use a unique, patented all-electric Gun Active Recoil system within the mounting cradle to provide the recoil. ACME’s gun active recoil is the only weapon training system available anywhere that provides training critical, full force recoil using an electric system.  ACME produces unique machine gun weapon training systems that feature full-force, all-electric recoil at full rate of fire.  ACME’s weapon training systems combine highly realistic replica (non-weapon) guns, our patented, Gun Active Recoil System (GAR®) weapon cradle, and the electronics to drive it.

The GAU-18/A, is a lightweight variant of the M2/M3, and is used on the USAF’s MH-53 Pave Low and HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters. These weapons do not use the M2HB barrel, and are typically set up as left-hand feed, right-hand charging weapons, but on the HH-60 Pavehawks that use the EGMS (External Gun Mount System) the gun is isolated from the shooter by a recoil absorbing cradle and all weapons are set up as right hand charge but vary between left and right hand feed depending on what side of the aircraft it is on. A feed chute adapter is attached to the left or right hand feed pawl bracket allowing the weapon to receive ammunition through a feed chute system connected to externally mounted ammunition containers holding 600 rounds each.

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Standard GAR® Simulator Features:

ACME Gun Active Recoil Simulators offers many standard base features for your Gun solutions.

• Realistically replicates recoil motion, frequency, and intensity
• Adaptable to ANY small arms weapon or trainer
• Works directly with the existing weapon system trainer/simulator firing signals
• Electric motors eliminates expensive blank rounds and maintenance intensive pneumatic systems
• Variable intensity to fine tune recoil
• Easy access to system components for maintenance and tuning
• Ruggedized systems available to adapt actual weapons for field use
• Actual Handles and Triggers
• 120VAC 15A Wall Power or 12/24VDC from Vehicles

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Available GAR® Simulator Ancillary System Options:

ACME can provide ancillary systems to expand the base features for your advanced Gun solutions.

• Laser Illumination/Targeting – The weapon supports laser mounted targeting for visual tracking of weapon aim points and student understanding of recoil compensation.
• Windloading System – Puts variable resistance on the gun based on simulated air speed and the weapon’s angle of attack to the air stream (for helicopter door gunner sims).
• Ammunition Countdown System – Ensures that trainees cannot spray bullets without regard for realistic limits.
• Ammunition Belted System – The GAR™ can cycle ammunition belts through the gun for added training and realism.
• Visual Muzzle Flash System – The GAR™ can have lighted muzzle flash physically added for cueing, training and realism. Visibile or IR spectrum.
• Gun Mount Systems – Your GAR™ can be fitted to cover any standard Military Gun Mount; Mk64, Mk93, Mk97, etc.
• Gun Use Sensor Systems – Your GAR™ can have various sensors integrated for Student Monitored Inputs such as:
• Proper Charge Position and Use
• Ammunition Change-Out Actions
• Azimuth and Elevation Mount Sensors

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Malfunctions Options:

Since the weapon responds to external firing signals, we can support a wide range of malfunctions.

• Runaway – The weapon continues to fire even when the trigger is released. Standard response to run away is to keep the weapon pointed to safe location and perhaps break the ammunition belt to limit the rounds available for runaway.
• Round Cookoff – When the gun is hot, ammunition can self-fire. The gun could replicate this by erratic, sudden, or unintended recoil regardless of trigger position.
• Misfire – The weapon can fail to fire for one or multiple cycles. Response to this might be to cycle the charge handle to jack the offending round from the breach.
• Equipment Jams – The weapon can stop firing even with ammunition present. Response might be lift the top cover, remove the belt, cycle charge handle, reset ammo, and recharge the weapon.
• Firing Degradation – When the weapon gets hot and dirty, the rate of fire can significantly slow and the number of jams/misfires increases significantly. Defective ammunition is also another potential cause and these have different training responses for the gunner