Rode on a bunch of em.
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| Science & Technology |
| Arming the Osprey |
| 2016-05-20 |
| BLUF: [PJ] If the the Osprey still has a major challenge it's that the need for ground attack aircraft is increasing, while our ground-pounder force is shrinking (all combat wings), aging (everything prior to the F-22), or of unproven air-to-ground capability (the F-35). |
| Posted by:Besoeker |
| #12 Rode on a bunch of em. So have I. Some of the 46's I was on had many neatly-patched bullet holes. The Marines learned from Mogadishu and other urbanized sh-tholes: You don't go in unarmed. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2016-05-20 18:18 |
| #11 How about this little guy ? |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2016-05-20 15:28 |
| #10 If the Marines need close in air support, the answer is simple: A-29 Super Tucano armed with a 30mm cannon. That sucker probably could fly off the deck of the Wasp. |
| Posted by: Steve White 2016-05-20 15:25 |
| #9 Rode on a bunch of em. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2016-05-20 15:23 |
| #8 I suspect the Misguided Children are looking at a SpecOps version of the Osprey for most of what is being talked about. That said, an aircraft in a combat role and intended to go into a hot zone, that is armed with only a machine gun aft, is rather stupid. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2016-05-20 15:05 |
| #7 Let us rejoice. |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2016-05-20 15:01 |
| #6 And now he's gone. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2016-05-20 15:00 |
| #5 Hemingway is back. |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2016-05-20 14:09 |
| #4 Pigeons, or course, are already armed to the beak - just ask any statue. |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2016-05-20 12:43 |
| #3 The Osprey is supposed to carry stuff. To add weapons means more weight. The more capable the weapons, the less stuff--Marines--it can carry. Other than a couple of machine guns, an increase in weaponry will require modifications; strengthening of some members against recoil, balance issues, ammo storage, fire control, gunnery training for the crew and maintenance training for the ground guys. Better haul out some helicopter gunships. More maneuverable, smaller targets, purpose-built, won't detract from the Osprey's mission. |
| Posted by: Richard Aubrey 2016-05-20 07:12 |
| #2 A bit more on the aircraft. Note the operational readiness (OR) rate in this article. Be advised, the OR rate was very carefully monitored in theater. Here I will add, measured for success, not pushed for endurance. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2016-05-20 06:33 |
| #1 The platform hadn't undergone it's first engine change and the Marines were asking for 30mm cannon to somehow be mounted. Please, let us examine the real problem which is the lack of ground attack aircraft. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2016-05-20 06:23 |