CV-22 Osprey - Rear Gun
US Air Force photo by Staff SGT. Tony Ritter
An Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) Flight Engineer mans a .50 cal machine gun mounted at the rear of a CV-22 Osprey.
The Osprey has replaced the MH-53 Pavelow helicopter as AFSOC's primary VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) aircraft.
Even if fitted with an optional GAU-17 minigun housed in a belly turret, the Osprey still has less firepower than the Pavelow, which had 3 firing points available.
The CV-22 Osprey was designed to use its speed to overcome any deficiencies in firepower.
