Additional Gun Would Provide Complete Field Of Fire
The Marine Corps newest Aircraft, the MV-22 Osprey recently was looked at for installation of a new gun that can fire in a three hundred sixty degree arc.
Currently making its combat debut in Iraq the Osprey is designed to fly fixed wing like, but it can hover like a helicopter also. The Osprey was designed and intended to replace aging but stalwart CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters.
Up to now the Osprey has had a single gun, located at the rear of the aircraft, but if they were to receive a second gun they would have considerably more firepower. “One possible option would be the addition of what we call a hell hole, located where the cargo hook is” said Lieutenant General John Castellaw.
General Castellaw is the deputy commandant for resources and programs for the U.S. Marine Corps.
Speaking recently with the press, General Castellaw said, “The Osprey has a lot of advantages such as the ability to climb fast, and a lot of speed”. This ability means less defensive capability is needed, but the addition of a gun with the ability to fire in a complete circle would be welcome.
“The Osprey can get out of the way swift and quickly, and they are built to take hits when necessary,” said Castellaw. “In Iraq so far, the Osprey is performing well,” stated General Castellaw. The Osprey has the additional ability to carry troops at altitudes up to thirteen thousand feet, which is out of the range of most missiles and anti-aircraft fire.
