Will Address What Many See As A Critical Shortcoming

A key shortcoming cited by critics of the CV-22 Osprey tiltrotor transport may soon be addressed. BAE Systems announced Monday it will develop an interim all-quadrant defensive weapon system for the Osprey.

BAE states the contract awarded by the US Special Operations Command, calls for rapid development, installation, testing, and qualification of a weapon capability that provides defensive fire protection to all quadrants of the aircraft. Currently, Ospreys fly with only a single, rear-mounted, 30-caliber machine gun that can only be fired when the cargo ramp is extended.

The belly-mounted system is remotely operated and capable of delivering accurate, sustained fire throughout the CV-22's flight envelope. The contract is valued at $491,000, with a potential value of $16.3 million, including options.

"At BAE Systems, we pride ourselves on the work we do to protect those who protect us," said Clark Freise, vice president of defense avionics for BAE Systems in Johnson City, New York. "This system will provide vital protection to this aircraft, its operators, and the Special Operations personnel that it will carry."

In the Osprey's early development stages, plans called for a nose-mounted Gatling Gun in the tiltrotor, but that was later shelved over weight, cost, and mission concerns.

FMI: www.baesystems.com, www.navair.navy.mil/v22/