“French, Retreat & V-22” synonymous?
I read that since the proposed chin-mounted gun is too pricey (& heavy), V-22s will go into combat with a ramp-mounted 50 cal machine gun since: “…it could provide at least some suppressive fire during the retreat.”
Due to the V-22’s restrictive cabin size, marines were forced to procure a French mortar towed behind an unarmored jeep that can’t leave the protection of the base (IAW current US Force's rules in Iraq and Afghanistan). However, I’d be willing to bet that not unlike most of theV-22’s pre-production goals, that rule will be eroded or abolished altogether in the name of “positive V-22 propaganda” but paid for in marine blood (again).
What a slippery slope the marines have found the V-22 dragging them down!