[quote][b][url=/v3/forum/h%C3%A9licopt%C3%A8res-50/topic/bellboeing-v22-osprey-consorts-256/?post=6889#post-6889]ex-nighthawk00[/url] a dit le 24/08/2006 à 16:37 :[/b]

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C.(Aug. 22, 2006) -- Throughout the past two weeks, Marine Tiltrotor Test and Evaluation Squadron 22 has been testing the use of the M-240 as the primary offensive and defensive weapon of the MV-22 “Osprey,” an aircraft which has had no such capabilities up until now.

“Along with the ITV (Internally Transportable Vehicle) testing, VMX-22 has been validating the weapons system that we’re going to send out to the fleet when the ‘Osprey’ goes operational,” said Maj. Raymond M. White, VMX-22 director of safety and standardization.
There have been concerns of how and where the Marines were going to mount any type of weapon on the “Osprey” in the past, but over the past few weeks, those worries have been put at ease.

“There are unique challenges with the ‘Osprey’ and attaching a gun to it, because it’s not a CH-53 or a CH-46 and it has different fields of fire,” said White. “This new weapon is a pretty good solution and has thus far proved itself capable.”

Not only has it proved itself capable on the firing ranges at MCAS Cherry Point, but also with the veteran crew chiefs, like Staff Sgt. Theodore K. Mahiai, who were assigned to validate the M-240.

Mahiai, a former CH-46E “Sea Knight” crew chief and one of the first to fire from the “Osprey,” said there are still some small “kinks” to work out, but for the most part believes the new, rear-mounted weapons system will get the job done.

“The MV-22B is the wave of the future and by attaching the M-240 we’ll have one more way of doing our part to support the ground units,” said Mahiai.

By validating the rear-mounted weapons system, the “Osprey” takes one giant stride forward toward deployment in late 2007.

“This is a big step forward because until now we haven’t had a weapon on the aircraft,” said White. “It is something the ‘Osprey’ needs because without it, lives of Marines are put in jeopardy.”

http://www.marines.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/0/05B008E12EB389D4852571D200562D01?opendocument

Un Osprey armé  8)[/quote]