Definition

An attack pass by an aircraft using its cannons or machine guns rather than missiles or bombs, because sometimes pilots prefer the satisfaction of personal delivery. It's strafing with style.

Example Usage

The A-10 made three gun runs on the enemy armor column, destroying four tanks with its GAU-8 cannon.

Origin

Emerged during WWII as aircraft increasingly used integrated guns for ground attack missions

Fun Fact

The A-10 Warthog's gun is so powerful that firing it for extended periods actually slows the aircraft down measurably through recoil.

Source: Close air support and aviation terminology

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