The M230 Chain Gun is a weapon available to the AV-42C and AH-94 as an alternative to the GAU-8 and GAU-94 cannons. It is designed with Close Air Support tactics in mind, being capable of rotating around a turret gimbal to track and targeting ground units with the assistance of the aircraft's onboard Targeting Pod (TGP) (or TADS in the AH-94. It stands for Target Acquisition and Designation Sights). When traveling at less than 110m/s, the turret will be slaved to the TGP crosshair, allowing for easy acquisition and engagement of targets on the ground. In this mode, there are two main methods pilots can use for weapon deployment:
- Slew the TGP cursor onto a ground target to track them with the M230. This will allow for precision accuracy against individual targets, and lead correction against moving targets.
- If the TGP's head-track feature is enabled (the HMCS switch must be on and your helmet's visor must be down), then the M230 will track the TGP's crosshair as it moves around and it can be used for quick deployment against multiple ground targets.
In addition to the prior features, in the AH-94 if the person with weapon control does not have SOI set to TADS, the cannon will automatically point to where the person is looking at.
Otherwise, if flying beyond its gimbal-slaving speed limit, the turret will be locked forwards and will function similarly to the GAU-8.
- Cost: $1,000
- Weight: 937 kg
- Ammo: 1200 rounds
