Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category.
01 / Overview
M61 Vulcan
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1959–
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) · EARLY COLD WAR
3
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
88
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General5MOD.5
- First Production Year1959
- Service Entry Year1959
- DesignerGeneral Electric
- Weight (Empty)112 kg
- Currently In ServiceYes
◈Cartridge & Calibre5MOD.5
- Cartridge20×102mm Vulcan
- Calibre20 mm
- Case Length102 mm
- Calibre Class20 mm
- Bullet Weight130 g
▣Operation5MOD.5
- Action TypeElectric-Driven Rotary
- Fire Modessingle-shot (triggered), fully automatic
- Feed SystemBelt
- Cyclic Rate of Fire6,000
- Trigger Typeelectrically fired
◇Ballistics3MOD.3
- Muzzle Velocity1,052 m/s
- Muzzle Energy72,000
- Effective Range (point)3,000 m
◆Barrel & Sights5MOD.5
- Barrel Length1,519 mm
- Rifling Grooves9
- Optic RailNo
- Iron SightsNo
- Threaded BarrelNo
▤Construction1MOD.1
- Receiver Materialsteel
⬢Features1MOD.1
▲Production & Cost1MOD.1
- Variants2
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1945First deployment: Cold War
- 1959Production started
67
years in service
21
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Conflicts
M61 VULCAN · CONFLICTS SERVED IN50% win
Total Conflicts
6
Victories
3
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
2017–Turkish military operation in Idlib GovernorateDecisive victory→2014–2017Iraqi Civil War of 2014–2017—→2014–Yemeni Civil War—→2003–2011Iraq WarDecisive victory→2001–2021War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)—→1955–1975Vietnam WarDecisive victory→
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
Operator Countries21country
06 / MASS Score
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) RANKING General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
5GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)3EARLY COLD WAR · GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)113UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS16PERFORMANCE/PRICE · GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG)
ⓘ Rankings are within theGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)category.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE2terms
A firearm feed system where ammunition is stored in a flexible or rigid container (magazine) inserted into the grip or attached externally, feeding rounds into the chamber via a spring or follower.
Firearm action where an electric motor cycles the slide or cylinder via a rotary mechanism, replacing manual operation.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources