Comments on: MV-22 Osprey Going To Sea [Gun Question…]

By: Dennis

Dennis — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 16:32:44 +0000

Here is an idea a little out of the box.
The Osprey can lift a lot of weight.
How about a gun “box” attachment that can be hooked to the bottom of the craft. It would reel itself in once attached and secure itself to the craft once activated remotely (wirelessly) from a control suit in the craft.
Think pods that attach to fighter craft. Without the connection wires.
The pod would be attached on the ground and reeled in once off the ground.
This would allow for a great deal of flexibility of munitions to be attached, without altering the aircraft itself in any real way. The system could be completely self contained with its own redundant electrical and hydraulic systems.

By: C. Foskey

C. Foskey — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:04:35 +0000

The X2 gunship escort would be purpose built for this exact role.
Also, IIRC the gun limitations are due to the fact that the gun cannot physically fit in deployed position between the belly of the airframe and the ground, and must be retracted when landing.

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 11:29:54 +0000

A gunship like the AC types of the Hercy bird and earlier cargo types the Airforce has used should be easy enough to do on an Osprey. Spooky flying around can suppress almost anything, so a gunship like that would be a perfect solution. Not to mention it would free up Cobras for other tasks, and provide an added versatility to the embarked air group. Also, it would be infinitely more effective than any little turret.

By: kaltes

kaltes — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 03:38:25 +0000

If there is a need for escorts that fly with the rest of the ospreys, an escort version of the Osprey can be developed, with weapons replacing cargo/troops. Pretty simple. The Osprey can lift a lot of weight, so you can make a gunship version for ground suppression easily. Just remodel the belly, lift it to make room for a larger, more powerful turret, and fill it up with ammo. Then slap on some electronics for targeting. You can probably get a bushmaster 25mm or 30mm on there with tons of ammo.
Defense against air and SAMs is going to be handled by fixed wing aircraft, like always.

By: Drake

Drake — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:09:22 +0000

Anyone know if this issue was resolved?
“Fifth V-22 with loose bolts points to design“
26/03/09
Flightglobal.com
US Naval Air Systems Command confirms today that a fifth MV-22 — and the first US-based aircraft

By: Valcan

Valcan — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 21:52:07 +0000

Nice.…though i just hope they dont suddenly decide to say wait a minute.…..LETS MAKE IT STEALTHY!!!
and price goes up.
But thanks the AC130 and A10 are some of the most cost effective weapons we have plus they accually work :P

By: soonergrunt

soonergrunt — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 21:38:58 +0000

Valcan,
I haven’t seen anything to indicate that the USAF are retiring any AC-130s.
According to Wikipedia (quoting the USAF), currently there are eight AC-130H Spectre II and seventeen AC-130U Spooky II aircraft in active duty service.
Also according to Wikipedia, the USAF is intent on procuring 16 AC-27J Stinger II aircraft based upon the new C-27J Spartan Joint Cargo Aircraft, but these are at least a couple of years away.

By: Valcan

Valcan — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 21:10:52 +0000

Hey Yall,
Soonergrunt, I think somthing like the bronco is a great idea especialy in coin and such operations. Although i think what there realy looking for is a vtol aircraft. But maybe someone needs to look at the old flying pancake idea it was able to go slow as hell and fast as hell think around 500 or so mph.
But i can see something like the A-1 Skyraider also if they dont want vtol.
Um ps. anyone know if the airforce is changing there current # of spookies or cutting it or what?

By: soonergrunt

soonergrunt — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:28:49 +0000

What’s needed is a firepower capability that can arrive at the target area a minutes ahead of the Ospreys and then loiter over the LZ/PZ long enough to cover the Ospreys as they leave. This capability should also be able to loiter to prosecute on-call CAS missions for the ground force. The capability should be able to travel with or near the Ospreys as they transit so that they can quickly provide cover for any ships that go down for mechanical issues in bad guy country.
A-10s can do this today. Harriers can do this, too. OV-10s could if we still had them or they go back into production, and could do it cheaper than the other currently available options.

By: TB

TB — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:05:41 +0000

The problem with launching your escorts early is you may lose the element of surprise. Fixed-wing air also has limited time on station to provide support during a landing. An F-18 also flies too high and too fast to provide close support during a helo insert.