The barrels will equip the A-10 fighter aircraft, currently in use in the Middle East, to provide close air support. The A-10's GAU-8 seven-barrel cannon fires 30mm rounds capable of piercing tank armor, making it an effective tool against armored targets.
The program will be managed at General Dynamics Burlington Technology Center in Vermont, with production at the General Dynamics facility in Saco, Maine. Deliveries on this contract will commence in July 2005 at a rate of 77 barrels per month.
General Dynamics has been a leading supplier of gun barrels to the U.S. Department of Defense for more than 50 years, producing gun barrels ranging from 7.62mm to the 40mm. General Dynamics barrels are currently used on a wide variety of defense products including U.S. fighter aircraft.