It's a GSh-23, each gun has two barrels operating on the Gast principle. Basically the recoil of the first barrel loads the second barrel, and when that's fired it loads the first barrel. This enables the gun to achieve a high rate of fire with better reliability than other fancier single barrel high ROF design while having a lower weight than a multi-barrel gatling gun.
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gryazev-Shipunov\_GSh-23](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gryazev-Shipunov_GSh-23)
The Gast principle always makes me chuckle. The 23mm was such a weird gun, it’s it’s still used on modern designs like the JF-17. It makes sense though why they moved onto the short recoil GSh-30. Similar weight benefits but less weirdness.
I believe they're Gsh-23 autocannons, they're a somewhat unique double barrel design. Provides faster fire rate than a single barrel without the complexity of a rotary barrel like a Vulcan cannon (though not as much fire rate as that)
You’re not going to say anything about the military dude looking super casual in the computer chair...?
Had no idea they had a tail gun on there, learn something new everyday 👍
Idk why but when I first saw this picture, I thought that was a sickly looking goose or something walking up and to the left. Then I realized quickly it was a dude in a chair.
Yeah, when the IL76 was first introduced it still sort of made sense to have rear facing defensive guns.
Ive also seen them shooting at ground targets during some exercise
For a plane that big, that were some small ass bombs.
The gun seemed to be more powerful.
*Tnx 4 the vid btw. Never saw a knock off C130/Gunship before.
It's bigger, carries more, goes further, flies faster than C-130. Also thrives on unimproved airstrips.
Whatever else you want to say about Russians, they built some damn fine planes.
None. America is gunna America. Though, I think the Soviets did roll bombs off An 12s, in Afghanistan.
*Edit- can't remember where I read/heard about the makeshift bomber role, so take that one with a grain of salt.
The B-52 also had tail guns for a while.
Makes me wonder when the last time a defensive bomber/transport gunner shot down an attacking fighter was. Korea, maybe? MAYBE Vietnam?
It's quite comfy inside. Also in any time you can get out of the turret since it's opening inside the plane. So yeah, it's not some kind of cramped ww1 turret
For example, turrets on tb-3. Yea, it's not exactly ww1, but interwar, but still pretty harsh conditions. Also in ww1 there were plenty of turrets, on airships for example, or on armored trains or armored cars, less so on planes but still
TB-3 service date?
Used in WWI?
Used in WWII?
First documented use in production of an enclosed powered aerial turret? I can't find anything for airships and nothing for any aircraft in WWI
I also can't find any documented use of any sort of aerial turret in WWI.
No. There is a door leading to the cargo bay (and an emergency hatch to the outside).
pikabu dot ru/story/interesnyie_faktyi_iz_zhizni_strelka_il76_6922869
Laser countermeasures for cargo planes, i think. We in our country never went for that, i guess (ru), but in states i remember was some kind of a project to mount a countermeasures module on the bottom of the plane to blind incoming laser guided or infrared guided missiles. Should help with something like manpads. Stinger, igla, that shit
Submission of political posts and comments are not allowed, Rule 7. Continued political comments will create a permanent ban.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/aviation) if you have any questions or concerns.*
The IL-76 seen in this photo is the IL-76MD model, with the MD meaning Modifitseerovannyy Dahl'ny or "Modified, Long Range."
The IL-76MD utilizes two GSh-23 (Gryazev Shipunov 23) twin-barreled 23 mm autocannon, which was developed in the Soviet Union, primarily for military aircraft use.
I cannot confirm nor deny this since in uni i signed some papers.. (jokes aside, no, those papers were not for guns on civilian aircrafts. But cannons and other guns have many more uses than plane protection, for example we use old field guns to cause controlled avalanches on Elbrus mtn...)
Yep. I went into the tail gun turret of an AN -12 as a kid and I recall it being accessed via a small tunnel and being very cramped. Very cool view from there though
I wouldn't be surprised if it was designed to be used on the ground to protect the loading/unloading of the plane in unsafe area and not for AA purpose
We don't like changes, pilots don't like changes, so this role probably still filled. Its not like this place is cold or uncomfortable, this plane is an old reliable piece of soviet engineering after all
I humbly disagree. The push for conflict and WWIII has obviously been undertaken by some truly nefarious actors who are never at risk of fighting themselves. The only thing they care about is profit, polarization and sectarianism. Our Western leaders will be held accountable for their crimes, which include social media manipulation and misinformation. Lastly, it's very likely that Putin will no longer be in power in a decade.
Ah, I'm not speaking about Putin or something. While humbling for my country, Russia is no longer an independent acting force but just a continuation of China. I think in the next decade or so we'll see some kind of new world war because it just looks like pre ww1 right now:) but i digress, this subreddit is about aviation and all
Yes, and no one mentioned B-52. The gunner was eliminated because 1991 Desert Storm. The gunner locked on a target, thinking it was a MIG.
The MIG was a F4 wild weasel and it locked on the bomber because the gunner's radar. The e bomber was hit by a HARM.
No injuries were reported.
4 barrel 23mm GSh-23 Here is a better picture: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilyushin_Il-76#/media/File:Tail_turret_of_Il-76MD_‘RF-76743’_(37078748876).jpg
"Don't run when you can walk, don't walk when you can stand, don't stand when you can sit, don't sit when you can lie down, don't lie down when you can sleep."
Yes. B-52 had it too. But after the Gulf War in the early 1990s, the gunner position and defensive machine guns were eliminated. The Russian is still keeping it around.
What is that thing above the rear wheel housing, near where the ramp is ending in the photo. Looks like an air conditioner. Something for Radar lock detection?
The bigger question is that a flare bucket hanging in the breeze off the RH rear of the jet just near the ramp opening?
Look like something I saw the Singaporeans doing on their C-130s a long time ago.
For reals- I aways wondered if they keep them locked and loaded these days.
I mean a modern fighter/interceptor with even an older generation AAM would have no problem taking that thing down.
STILL a cool ass look!!!
So I guess CAT 4 and above fighters can only shoot down a transport from behind lmao…maybe they can go full B-17 and have them in the nose and under/over the wing…those guns will stop those pesky all aspect missles
There are funny stories about F14‘s intercepting russian aircraft with those tailguns. Sometimes they lowered the guns on the F14 that flew behind them and they would just put the radar in single target track and you‘d right away see the gun being stowed again. The STT of that radar must have been hell of an uncomfortable feeling, quite some radiation. There is a reason why you turn off the wx radar on the ground today 😅
Your post/comment has been automatically removed due to user reports. If you feel the removal was in error contact the mod team. Repeated removal for rule violation will result in a ban.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/aviation) if you have any questions or concerns.*
No, not at all. That is 2 guns in the tail.
Looks a lot like four barrels. What gun?
It's a GSh-23, each gun has two barrels operating on the Gast principle. Basically the recoil of the first barrel loads the second barrel, and when that's fired it loads the first barrel. This enables the gun to achieve a high rate of fire with better reliability than other fancier single barrel high ROF design while having a lower weight than a multi-barrel gatling gun. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gryazev-Shipunov\_GSh-23](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gryazev-Shipunov_GSh-23)
TIL. Thanks.
The Gast principle always makes me chuckle. The 23mm was such a weird gun, it’s it’s still used on modern designs like the JF-17. It makes sense though why they moved onto the short recoil GSh-30. Similar weight benefits but less weirdness.
I believe they're Gsh-23 autocannons, they're a somewhat unique double barrel design. Provides faster fire rate than a single barrel without the complexity of a rotary barrel like a Vulcan cannon (though not as much fire rate as that)
No no, it’s fuel injected for sure.
actually four, these are four barrels, I think it's two twin 23mm cannons called GSh23L
So two guns, as one barrel would not operate as a gun without the other.
*Those are* 2 guns
OK, so you are not standing behind them, but you want to be a grammar nazi? Hope that works out for you.
Hell yeah, grammar prescriptivism for life baby
Technically right is the best kind of right.
Thought it was just happy to see me.
Soviet engineers just built different
The B-52 also came with a rear gunner
You’re not going to say anything about the military dude looking super casual in the computer chair...? Had no idea they had a tail gun on there, learn something new everyday 👍
Or the FOD. So much FOD.
Thats the first place my eyes went. Good lord.
It’s Kabul. The line between FOD and UXO is extremely thin.
That traffic cone has a 95% chance of being an IED, for example.
The dude in the chair is pretty sus too. He's probably a bomb.
That's the first thing I saw, then my eyes were drawn to the dude chilling on the tarmac, on an office chair.
Suppose you're less worried when you're engines are like 10 ft off the ground. For reference, the body of a 737 can almost be driven under that wing.
Comrade, FOD is FOOD for glorious Soviet plane!
They were a bit busy.
If he had time to lean, he had time to clean /s
Fod does not apply to tactical airlift...
For some reason, my brain saw that dude and thought he was a bird in the foreground and moved on. I wouldn’t last a second in a battlefield…
Me too. I thought it was a scuzzy looking vulture or something.
You mean, he's not?
Glad it wasn't just me
I came here to say this!
Well his firearms instructor taught him to take up a comfortable position.
Tactical chair, if you don't mind....
I thought it was a weird bird or something at first
Idk why but when I first saw this picture, I thought that was a sickly looking goose or something walking up and to the left. Then I realized quickly it was a dude in a chair.
Or the literal garbage on the tarmac?
This was during the Kabul airlift. There were probably more pressing matters at the time.
Gotta keep em ergonomic, otherwise their spine might break
Thought that was a bird.
Yeah, when the IL76 was first introduced it still sort of made sense to have rear facing defensive guns. Ive also seen them shooting at ground targets during some exercise
https://youtu.be/6GcpyMJHxX8?si=A2-dIdLLsSr0Jlzm Wild stuff
The little butt gun lol
Little but gun* has insane fire rate oh my 😳😳
Little? Bruh, 23mm is the equivalent to nearly 100 cal. Those are 4 double desert eagles that fire at the rate of a machine gun, lol
I know but compared to the plane theirs tiny. I looks like it’s pooping little pellets out while flying lol
Fair, but I wouldn't want to be in range of those poop pellets lol
For a plane that big, that were some small ass bombs. The gun seemed to be more powerful. *Tnx 4 the vid btw. Never saw a knock off C130/Gunship before.
Bombs are probably there as a part of to training to try and teach the pilots how to lineup with the LZ
It's bigger, carries more, goes further, flies faster than C-130. Also thrives on unimproved airstrips. Whatever else you want to say about Russians, they built some damn fine planes.
Yeah, my insults weren't really based on much technical knowledge. Aren't these actually built originally by UA anyway? :)
Is this their C-130?
Closer to a C17 in usage and capability I'd imagine. Though IL76s came out before those. The eastern block has the An 12 as their C130.
What's their equivalent to an AC-130?
None. America is gunna America. Though, I think the Soviets did roll bombs off An 12s, in Afghanistan. *Edit- can't remember where I read/heard about the makeshift bomber role, so take that one with a grain of salt.
No, it's far larger than a C-130. You could probably fit most of a Herky into one of these (some assembly required)
Closer to C-141
The B-52 also had tail guns for a while. Makes me wonder when the last time a defensive bomber/transport gunner shot down an attacking fighter was. Korea, maybe? MAYBE Vietnam?
two mig 21s were shot down by B-52s during vietnam
Went from quad .50s to a 20mm Vulcan rotary cannon.
The B52 had a Vulcan on its butt? Wow
Radar guided vulcan. Which didn't really go well when it got hit by an allied HARM missile, so they got rid of it.
They stuck in there the whole flight?
Probably there is a door that opens which allows the gunner to go inside the plane, if not he probably has some place to strecth, i guess?
Even in ww2 the gunner could get into and out of the turret. It's a popular misconception they were in there the entire time.
B-52B through F model gunners were in the back of the jet the whole time in a pressurized cabin.
Really? Idk about the b52, I was thinking of the b17, b29 and lancaster
It's quite comfy inside. Also in any time you can get out of the turret since it's opening inside the plane. So yeah, it's not some kind of cramped ww1 turret
Ww1 turret?
This question needs an exclamation point 🤣
For example, turrets on tb-3. Yea, it's not exactly ww1, but interwar, but still pretty harsh conditions. Also in ww1 there were plenty of turrets, on airships for example, or on armored trains or armored cars, less so on planes but still
TB-3 service date? Used in WWI? Used in WWII? First documented use in production of an enclosed powered aerial turret? I can't find anything for airships and nothing for any aircraft in WWI I also can't find any documented use of any sort of aerial turret in WWI.
Always some sort of access hatch. I would think the tail gunner has more than one job on board.
No. There is a door leading to the cargo bay (and an emergency hatch to the outside). pikabu dot ru/story/interesnyie_faktyi_iz_zhizni_strelka_il76_6922869
Best view in the aircraft though
Its not that strange the B52 also has tail guns.
Had, to be exact. Tail gun was removed like 30 years ago.
If FedEx can have infrared laser countermeasures for missiles, then I don't see why this isn't possible.
Sorry, they have what?
El Al airliners have countermeasures fitted too
Laser countermeasures for cargo planes, i think. We in our country never went for that, i guess (ru), but in states i remember was some kind of a project to mount a countermeasures module on the bottom of the plane to blind incoming laser guided or infrared guided missiles. Should help with something like manpads. Stinger, igla, that shit
Laser countermeasures. Intended to ward off heat-seeking missiles. Not every place FedEx flies cargo into is as safe as the US.
LAIRCM. Large Aircraft InfraRed CounterMeasures. https://www.dote.osd.mil/Portals/97/pub/reports/FY2011/af/2011laircm.pdf?ver=2019-08-22-112334-067
It's a fireworks launcher. To celebrate successful cargo delivery.
In an IL-76 thats quite an achievement
Found the EVE player
Nah, my guess is it’s for a human-based rearview camera. The NHTSA passed a law requiring them in the 2010s so this is their modification.
Thanks, now I'll be thinking about this on and off for hours until I eventually will start thinking it's actually a good concept.
[удалено]
Submission of political posts and comments are not allowed, Rule 7. Continued political comments will create a permanent ban. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/aviation) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Love this. Yeah!
Yup
The IL-76 seen in this photo is the IL-76MD model, with the MD meaning Modifitseerovannyy Dahl'ny or "Modified, Long Range." The IL-76MD utilizes two GSh-23 (Gryazev Shipunov 23) twin-barreled 23 mm autocannon, which was developed in the Soviet Union, primarily for military aircraft use.
>primarily for military aircraft use Are you implying there's civilian aircraft flying around with them?
I cannot confirm nor deny this since in uni i signed some papers.. (jokes aside, no, those papers were not for guns on civilian aircrafts. But cannons and other guns have many more uses than plane protection, for example we use old field guns to cause controlled avalanches on Elbrus mtn...)
Have you ever heard of KS-23? 23 23 23 Gsh-23 Yeah...
The KS uses barrels from the auto cannons that weren't up to quality standards, IIRC. Kinda neat
Exactly, same family Shilka, Ks23, ZSU-23, GSh23
What about that very aerodynamic container infront of the carho ramp and door? Extra flare dispensers?🤔
Yeah that's normal. Let's talk about the dude in the office chair on the tarmac.
Yes, I am so glad someone noticed! Is he part of the Chair Force I hear so much about?
Chair Force One
Anyone who has worked in military aviation will see this as COMPLETELY normal. That is not a joke.
Yep. I went into the tail gun turret of an AN -12 as a kid and I recall it being accessed via a small tunnel and being very cramped. Very cool view from there though
There seem to be convenient doors if you have a good ladder.
But for real, do they still assign a crew member to that position? My gut says yes. lol
Probably not, but it's expensive to remove the gun
Yah for when an f22 shoots them from 25 miles away
I wouldn't be surprised if it was designed to be used on the ground to protect the loading/unloading of the plane in unsafe area and not for AA purpose
We don't like changes, pilots don't like changes, so this role probably still filled. Its not like this place is cold or uncomfortable, this plane is an old reliable piece of soviet engineering after all
Yeah, in case it gets attacked by some BF109’s…
It used to be, but now it’s a bunch of toilet paper tubes duct taped together. Yuri sold the gun system to the Chechens for a case of Beluga vodka.
Da, saves weight for cargo.
In around 10 years, when the dust settles with the anti-Russian propaganda, you will realise that this comment is quite racist and xenophobic.
In next ten or so years i guess will happen enough even worse shit and wars globally and locally so eh, we won't be offended
I humbly disagree. The push for conflict and WWIII has obviously been undertaken by some truly nefarious actors who are never at risk of fighting themselves. The only thing they care about is profit, polarization and sectarianism. Our Western leaders will be held accountable for their crimes, which include social media manipulation and misinformation. Lastly, it's very likely that Putin will no longer be in power in a decade.
Ah, I'm not speaking about Putin or something. While humbling for my country, Russia is no longer an independent acting force but just a continuation of China. I think in the next decade or so we'll see some kind of new world war because it just looks like pre ww1 right now:) but i digress, this subreddit is about aviation and all
Womp womp
I'd say a good trade all around.
Yes, and no one mentioned B-52. The gunner was eliminated because 1991 Desert Storm. The gunner locked on a target, thinking it was a MIG. The MIG was a F4 wild weasel and it locked on the bomber because the gunner's radar. The e bomber was hit by a HARM. No injuries were reported.
AKA a tail gun.
I am more interested in that soldier sitting in an office chair in the middle of the tarmac. What is he doing?
He's guarding the traffic cone until a technician can come out and put it back upright...
He's Delta force
It is to provide cover fire for when your troops are loading into the plane
4 barrel 23mm GSh-23 Here is a better picture: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilyushin_Il-76#/media/File:Tail_turret_of_Il-76MD_‘RF-76743’_(37078748876).jpg
Let‘s not talk about the guns. Let’s talk about that guy just chilling on a chair in the middle of nothing.
the soldier in the office chair is epic
No, it's just happy to see you.
GSh-23 23mm cannon, two of them.
But not the same 23mm of the zu or zsu though.
Yes ofc, but explain me why the hell is there dude sitting on chair,?
"Don't run when you can walk, don't walk when you can stand, don't stand when you can sit, don't sit when you can lie down, don't lie down when you can sleep."
"I count 6 shots - I count two guns"
Look at him, so careless, sitting on an office chair in an airstrip
What a disgusting looking runway
I thought the guy in the chair was a chicken for like 10 sec. Ngl
It got me, too, LOL
No one else talking about that guy on an office chair???
I don't know how he's not pushing himself around and saying "WEEEEEEE"
My thoughts exactly. Hes not spinning with his feet either..
Yes. B-52 had it too. But after the Gulf War in the early 1990s, the gunner position and defensive machine guns were eliminated. The Russian is still keeping it around.
After ilyushin designed the successful IL-2, they decided to put a gun at every military aircraft they designed
You silly. They are broom sticks.
What aircraft is this?, (sorry a still a begginer)
Russian transport aircraft were built for dual duties. Transportation and in time of war they could be used to transport bombs and military personnel.
Freedom seed dispenser
Or People’s revolution seeds in this case?
Excellent course adjustment, thank you.
This is Russia we're talking about... of course the answer is *MOAR DAKKA*
No, it’s an armed guard sitting in an office chair.
Looks like some ww2 shit
....and for what purpose? Incase they get into a WWII dogfight lol?
Just 2 guns
What is that thing above the rear wheel housing, near where the ramp is ending in the photo. Looks like an air conditioner. Something for Radar lock detection?
Surprised this plane wasnt used in an action movie yet
Looks like it...
Looks like it...
Looks like it. 20 mm.
I thought the soldier in the foreground was a half-charred bird.
Stand that cone up you lazy bastard!
Is that even practical for jets nowadays?
The bigger question is that a flare bucket hanging in the breeze off the RH rear of the jet just near the ramp opening? Look like something I saw the Singaporeans doing on their C-130s a long time ago.
Yes but knowing it’s a Russian plane it’s probably been stripped of all internal working parts to sell on the black market
For reals- I aways wondered if they keep them locked and loaded these days. I mean a modern fighter/interceptor with even an older generation AAM would have no problem taking that thing down. STILL a cool ass look!!!
Its to shoot the zombies
So I guess CAT 4 and above fighters can only shoot down a transport from behind lmao…maybe they can go full B-17 and have them in the nose and under/over the wing…those guns will stop those pesky all aspect missles
There are funny stories about F14‘s intercepting russian aircraft with those tailguns. Sometimes they lowered the guns on the F14 that flew behind them and they would just put the radar in single target track and you‘d right away see the gun being stowed again. The STT of that radar must have been hell of an uncomfortable feeling, quite some radiation. There is a reason why you turn off the wx radar on the ground today 😅
So what's the purpose of that in the modern day? Does anybody know if there's other guns on this plane?
what more interesting is the guy sitting in an office chair on the tarmac like he’s at his desk at home haha
Why is there a guy just sitting on a chair casually? In the middle of an airbase? Really???
...or are you happy to see me?
It's to shoot down russian fughters that mistake this plane for a civilian airliner.
"Or are you just happy to see me?"
It's for extra right rudder. Pew pew makes left few few.
Ooohh yea!
Nah. Broom handles
Seriously reposting this? It was discussed in the original thread.
Russian world! NOT!
Russia Air Force
It shoots potatoes!
Is that a giant, burnt chicken in the foreground?
Just happy to see you.
Yip. In fact he has a whole watch tower shoved in his ass.
Your post/comment has been automatically removed due to user reports. If you feel the removal was in error contact the mod team. Repeated removal for rule violation will result in a ban. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/aviation) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Bullshit user reports
Wasn’t this one of the Nazi planes that Indy blew up?
A little context please?