Posted on 12/12/2007 6:49:58 PM PST by Jet Jaguar
WASHINGTON — The Marine Corps’ MV-22 Osprey might be getting more firepower.
The aircraft, which is currently making its combat-zone debut in Iraq, has the ability to hover like a helicopter and fly like a fixed-wing aircraft. It is meant to replace CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters, the Corps’ aging workhorse.
Ospreys come equipped with a gun at the ramp in the rear of the aircraft, but they might also get a gun with a 360-degree field of fire, said Marine Lt. Gen. John G. Castellaw.
“One of the options would be to install within what we call the ‘hell-hole’ — but that, that’s where the cargo hook is — a gun in there that would have the ability to shoot 360,” said Castellaw, deputy commandant for programs and resources.
Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Castellaw said the Osprey has significant advantages over the Sea Knight, most notably its speed and ability to climb rapidly, which means it requires less in the way of defensive systems.
“I told you I’m a -46 pilot; you know, the reason, the main reason I got .50 cals that are on either side (of the CH-46) is when I go into the zone, because I’m so slow and my acceleration rate is just a little bit better than a Volkswagen, then I want something that’s going to keep their heads down until I get enough speed and get away from there,” he said.
Not only can Ospreys get out of the path of the bullet quicker, but they are also built to take hits, Castellaw said.
Another advantage Ospreys have over Sea Knights is they can carry troops at 13,000 feet, which is out of range of most anti-aircraft artillery and missiles, he said.
Asked how well the Osprey is performing in Iraq, Castellaw said the aircraft is performing well, but he did not elaborate.
“It means it does well,” he said. “It does the mission that it was sent to do. It carries troops, it carries things, it goes where it needs to go, and it does it with a readiness rate that it allows it to sustain those operations.”
Thanks for posting it...good to hear.
The last time that I commented on this airframe I got hit from 360 degrees. I await the "Osprey"ping list response.
I look forward to this getting implemented. I wish this was on at the start of the program, but I understand funding for that got shot down (no pun intended) years ago.
I hope it makes it past our do-nothing-useful-for-the-troops Congrmess.
Anything to add to this, AA? Please try to be polite if you disagree....
The original Sikorsky helicopter was just an airborne ambulance - no guns. While the Osprey was in development, critics raised issues that weren’t overcome by the time of the deployment. Just as with the first helicopter, solutions will be found to some of these problems once the troops get a little experience with the machines and start to figure out how to work out the kinks in sit down meetings with the engineers.
Sounds interesting, now if it could only be made into an infra-red motion sensitive automated turret gun, we would really see the dawn of a new age.
Hover, turn on the gun, feed ammo into the hopper, and wait 5.
BRrrrrraaaaaapppp!
OK .safe to land now!
Me too. I think it's inherently a deathtrap, less likely to remain controllable than a helicopter when taking hits from AA or missiles. This thing is the very definition of "asymmetrical thrust". I know it has provisions to drive the props from one engine, but all that machinery can be broken easily. I would hate to have to ride around in one.
With those 2-acre propellers, I doubt very seriously that 360-degrees is exactly accurate...
Oh no! They’ll shoot their tires off!
I’ll tell you what would be really cool. Take that there turret ball in that there pic and flip it upside down and set it on the roof of a humvee.
I think I suggested this once before here on FR a long time ago. Maybe a year ago.
That's affirmative.
360 degrees could be with an elevation of just 1 degree above straight down. It will have a 360 degree train potential, but it will have to be blocked from firing into the prop diameter when trained forward port and starboard.
As I was leaving the Army, the MP Corps was in the initial stages of fielding the M1117 Armored Security Vehicle (ASV). I think you'll find it pretty much offers what you proposed.
I read the title and worried that the seahawks were starting to arm themselves. Whew.
LOL
Once upon a time not too long ago people actually believed that if you fired enough rockets off the sides of helicopters the thrust from the rockets would be enough to cause the helicopter to stop in mid air and crash...
Aircraft engineers have been dealing with the possibility of shooting through the propeller since WWI.
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