The GAU-19 is a U.S. .50-caliber, three-barrel electrically driven Gatling heavy machine gun now supported by Fulcrum Concepts. Built for air, land, and maritime mounts, it is documented on Colombian Black Hawks during Plan Colombia-era operations and on AH-60 IV Arpia and AH-6i armament packages.
During Plan Colombia-era operations, U.S. congressional testimony described GAU-19 defensive weapons on Colombian National Police Black Hawks used for hundreds of aerial eradication missions in contested areas.
The GAU-19 weapon system is documented on the AH-60 as part of the helicopter's armament fit.
| Carrier | Carrier type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Attack helicopter | The AH-60 IV fact sheet lists four GAU-19 machine guns among the helicopter's armament. Sources: AH-60 fact sheet |
Public records identify the GAU-19 on Colombian Black Hawk and Arpia helicopter fits, U.S. Army helicopter procurement, and AH-6i export packages. These records show the gun as a mounted aircraft weapon rather than a shoulder- or crew-portable infantry arm.
| Platform or program | Documented GAU-19 connection | Source context |
|---|---|---|
| Colombian National Police Black Hawk | GAU-19 defensive weapons protected aerial eradication missions during Plan Colombia-era operations. | Congressional hearing testimony |
| The Colombian Air Force AH-60 IV fact sheet lists four GAU-19 machine guns in the helicopter armament fit. | Fuerza Aeroespacial Colombiana fact sheet |
| AH-6i export package | The 2019 DSCA notification for Thailand listed GAU-19/B machine guns among requested AH-6i armament. | DSCA foreign military sale notice |
A House International Relations Committee hearing described GAU-19 defensive weapons protecting Colombian National Police Black Hawk missions during aerial eradication operations.
Sources: Implementing Plan Colombia hearing
General Dynamics announced a $7 million U.S. Army order for GAU-19/B Gatling guns for helicopters, describing the B model as a lighter version of the GAU-19/A.
Sources: General Dynamics GAU-19/B Order
The DSCA notification for Thailand's AH-6i purchase listed M134 Miniguns and GAU-19/B machine guns among the requested armament package.
Sources: Thailand AH-6i DSCA Notification
Fulcrum Concepts announced that it had acquired the GAU-19/A and GAU-19/B Gatling gun line from General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems.
Sources: Fulcrum GAU-19 Acquisition
