Article

2016-05-20 Science & Technology

Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.

Posted by Besoeker 2016-05-20 06:11|| || Front Page|| [10 views ] Top

#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|| 2016-05-20 06:23|| Front Page Top

#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|| 2016-05-20 06:33|| Front Page Top

#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|| 2016-05-20 07:12|| Front Page Top

#4 Pigeons, or course, are already armed to the beak - just ask any statue.

Posted by CrazyFool 2016-05-20 12:43|| 2016-05-20 12:43|| Front Page Top

#5 Hemingway is back.

Posted by g(r)omgoru 2016-05-20 14:09|| 2016-05-20 14:09|| Front Page Top

#6 And now he's gone.

Posted by Pappy 2016-05-20 15:00|| 2016-05-20 15:00|| Front Page Top

#7 Let us rejoice.

Posted by g(r)omgoru 2016-05-20 15:01|| 2016-05-20 15:01|| Front Page Top

#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|| 2016-05-20 15:05|| Front Page Top

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.

Rode on a bunch of em.

Posted by Besoeker 2016-05-20 15:23|| 2016-05-20 15:23|| Front Page Top

#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|| 2016-05-20 15:25|| Front Page Top

#11 How about this little guy ?

Posted by Besoeker 2016-05-20 15:28|| 2016-05-20 15:28|| Front Page Top

#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|| 2016-05-20 18:18|| Front Page Top

23:06 Thravimp Lover of the Antelope7006
21:43 Capsu78
21:35 Frank G
20:28 European Conservative
20:24 European Conservative
20:23 European Conservative
20:05 DarthVader
20:01 AlanC
19:40 Airandee
19:10 Procopius2k
18:43 KBK
18:30 Angaimble Elminemble1032
18:24 Angaimble Elminemble1032
18:18 Pappy
17:31 Ebbang Uluque6305
17:28 Shipman
17:26 Ebbang Uluque6305
17:26 Ebbang Uluque6305
17:10 Shipman
17:03 DarthVader
16:36 trailing wife
16:27 trailing wife
16:24 Besoeker
16:23 Besoeker