This is horribly off-topic, but the GAU-8 doesn't rip tanks apart. The PGU-14/B API DU round can only penetrate about 45-50mm of RHA at 1000m, which isn't even enough to penetrate a T-72B's roof armor at common engagement angles, let alone its front or side. It can't penetrate a T-62's front or turret side armor either. The GAU-8 is for killing light armor like IFVs, and soft targets. It is in no way a dependable tank-killing weapon. The A-10 carries the AGM-65 Maverick missile to deal with tanks, and it's with these that the overwhelming majority of A-10 tank kills have been scored.
That's 45-50mm RHA. Most 120mm APFSDS rounds can penetrate around 600-700mm RHA at 1000m, depending on the round. The TOW-2A is about 700mm. The 9M119M1 Invar-M is around 950mm. The GAU-8 isn't as special as popular culture would have you believe. The Russians barely use their equivalent (the GSh-6-30) on CAS aircraft because the smaller and lighter GSh-2-30 can do the same job.