The Air Force’s Neat-O GAU-5A: An M-4 Packed for Ejection Seats

By Chris Eger

Based on the M4, the GAU-5A has a folding pistol grip and a quick-detach barrel/handguard. The guns can be quickly assembled and are packed with four, 30-round 5.56mm magazines. (Photo: U.S. Air Force)
The U.S. Air Force recently released some great images of their new GAU-5A Aircrew Self Defense Weapon in service. The rifle, first shown off last year, is designed to be packed in ejection seat bail-out kits alongside flares, a flashlight, a life raft, medical and survival modules, all intended for aircrew to use in an emergency if needed.
“We were asked to design a stand-off weapon that was capable of hitting a man-size target at 200 meters,” said Richard Shelton, Chief of the Gunsmith Shop, in an Air Force news article. “It disconnects at the upper receiver, is located inside the seat kit [of ACES 2 ejection seats], and can be put together within 30 seconds if needed.”
Weighing in at 7-pounds, the USAF has delivered about 2,700 quick-take-down Aircrew Self Defense Weapons to units between Feb. 2018 and January 2020. (Photo: USAF)
The GAU-5A must stow inside a 16 x 14 x 3.5-inch ejection seat compartment, according to a June 2018 Air Force Times report. The guns get that small

Source: Guns.com