MV-22 Osprey

[SoD Stitch]

Originally Posted by twoeagles

Photo rec'd via the Bell rep in Kirkuk within the last day. It looks like
the MV-22 has a stinger in its tail - Matt, what is that pointing rearward?

Do you mean the tail tail, or the thing pointing out the rear door/ramp? The pointy thing sticking out of the door/ramp is the on-board defensive .50-cal BHMG. Unfortunately, it's pointed the wrong direction for insertion into a "hot" LZ; there are plans in the works to modify/upgrade the MV-22 with a chin-mounted cannon of some sort (still don't know what type; probably a 30 or 35mm chain gun).

[Matt308]

Likely just a manned M240 (or similar) like other ramp mounted weapons seen on CH-46, MH-53 or CH-47. I know they have also mounted mini-guns for SpecOps. Kloby and Adler can probably give better information. The AvWeek article noted that it was an automated and retractable turret located amidship. No other details and I have not read anything further.

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

That is a door gunner coming out of the rear ramp just like on the Chinook and the CH-53.

[Matt308]

.

[SoD Stitch]

Okay, looks like my original post was incorrect; it was not a .50-cal BHMG, but a 7.62mm M240B.

Speaking of the M240B, anybody heard about this new "lightened" version of the 240 called a Mk. 48?