Staff Sgt. Theodore K. Mahiai, a VMX-22 crew chief and one of the first to fire the “Osprey’s” new, rear-mounted M-240 weapon system, scans the area for possible targets during a flight Aug. 15. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Samuel D. White
Posted on 08/22/2006 2:12:37 PM PDT by Yo-Yo
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C.(Aug. 22, 2006) -- Throughout the past two weeks, Marine Tiltrotor Test and Evaluation Squadron 22 has been testing the use of the M-240 as the primary offensive and defensive weapon of the MV-22 “Osprey,” an aircraft which has had no such capabilities up until now.
“Along with the ITV (Internally Transportable Vehicle) testing, VMX-22 has been validating the weapons system that we’re going to send out to the fleet when the ‘Osprey’ goes operational,” said Maj. Raymond M. White, VMX-22 director of safety and standardization.
There have been concerns of how and where the Marines were going to mount any type of weapon on the “Osprey” in the past, but over the past few weeks, those worries have been put at ease.
“There are unique challenges with the ‘Osprey’ and attaching a gun to it, because it’s not a CH-53 or a CH-46 and it has different fields of fire,” said White. “This new weapon is a pretty good solution and has thus far proved itself capable.”
Not only has it proved itself capable on the firing ranges at MCAS Cherry Point, but also with the veteran crew chiefs, like Staff Sgt. Theodore K. Mahiai, who were assigned to validate the M-240.
Mahiai, a former CH-46E “Sea Knight” crew chief and one of the first to fire from the “Osprey,” said there are still some small “kinks” to work out, but for the most part believes the new, rear-mounted weapons system will get the job done.
“The MV-22B is the wave of the future and by attaching the M-240 we’ll have one more way of doing our part to support the ground units,” said Mahiai.
By validating the rear-mounted weapons system, the “Osprey” takes one giant stride forward toward deployment in late 2007.
“This is a big step forward because until now we haven’t had a weapon on the aircraft,” said White. “It is something the ‘Osprey’ needs because without it, lives of Marines are put in jeopardy.”
Staff Sgt. Theodore K. Mahiai, a VMX-22 crew chief and one of the first to fire the “Osprey’s” new, rear-mounted M-240 weapon system, scans the area for possible targets during a flight Aug. 15. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Samuel D. White
Hopefully they'll have something mounted in the front as well.
One M240 pointing rearward, and that's it?
And it can't rotate while descending.
It does not need as much as you think. You have to remember that employment of the V-22 will be in concert with other Close Air Support vehicles. RAREly will it go in alone.
I have no earthly idea where else they could put 'em. Waist guns would have a very limited sweep due to the big, varialbe props and nacelles. No clearance for a belly turret or chin-mount.
All I can imagine is an RPG taking out one of the rotors...the result would be a bad scene me thinks...
A side door gun was nixed because there is this huge engine nacelle in the field of fire...
Easy...vacuum bag the spent shells.
I would think maybe a retractable pod swinging out underneath from the rear door, maybe remote targeting,
laser designated from cockpit?
A fixed mini gun in the nose wouldn't hurt.
Heh...they need a ball-turret in the belly!
Manufacturer: Fabrique Nationale Manufacturing, Inc.
Length: 47.5 inches (120.65 centimeters)
Weight: 24.2 pounds (10.99 kilograms)
Bore diameter: 7.62mm (.308 inches)
Maximum effective range: 1.1 miles (1.8 kilometers) on tripod mount
Maximum range: 2.31 miles (3.725 kilometers)
Rates of fire:
Cyclic: 650-950 rounds per minute
Rapid: 200 rounds per minute
Sustained: 100 rounds per minute
Unit Replacement Cost: $6,600
I think I'd like something a bit heaver
Like This
But the HMMWV turned into a battle-taxi.
Kinda like the ol' F-4 DAYS...
Any rear firing weapon.....
Itsa sure-fire MIG killer!!
Did you mean to say FREE TO GOOD HOME?
H&K GMG would be better... 40mmx53 Grenade Machine Gun... OUCH!
The Egress Package contains a buttstock assembly, a buffer assembly, a bipod assembly, and a conventional trigger assembly. The M240D is issued for aircraft configuration. The barrel assembly contains a three position gas plug. The first gas plug position allows the weapon to cycle at 750 shots-per-minute (SPM). The two remaining ports increase the SPM by 100 each (I.E., gas port position 2 = 850 SPM; gas port position 3 = 950 SPM). The aircraft configured M240D weighs 25.6 lb. and is 42.3 inches long. The egress configuration weighs 26.2 lb. and is 49.0 inches long.
yitbos
I'd tend to prefer a mini-gun as well. I'd actually like one on each side, plus maybe one on the nose
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