photo #6786013

Why does an A-10 aircraft make some kind of buzzing sound after firing its machine gun?The A-10's GAU-8/A is a massive 30-mm cannon designed for tank busting, and it's a central piece of the aircraft's design. When the Warthog fires this gun, each round is traveling faster than the speed of sound. This means that the bullets reach their target and the impact is seen before the sound of the gun firing reaches the observer. It's a bit like seeing lightning and waiting for the thunder – the light reaches you almost instantly, but the sound takes a little longer to travel.Also, the GAU-8/A fires at an incredibly high rate, spitting out rounds so quickly that the individual reports blend into a continuous sound. This creates the characteristic 'BRRRT' noise that has become synonymous with the A-10. The sound is also a result of the sheer speed and number of bullets breaking the sound barrier as they race toward their target.The A-10 is designed to counteract the recoil of the GAU-8/A. The gun is mounted in the aircraft so that the firing barrel is on the centerline, helping to balance the recoil forces. This careful engineering ensures that the aircraft doesn't veer off course when unleashing its firepower.