Can you show us the picture?

If you are talking about a .50 cal mounted on the lower right side of the turret, it is on all Avengers. It is used as a ranging gun and comes in the Italeri kit. It is a standard M2HB MG.

Also, could you try typing in normal sentence case? All caps is seen as yelling on the forums and is more difficult to read. No need to post the same question 3 times either.

The Avengers went through some mods a couple of years back and the 50 was moved higher .....so it could be used against ground targets more effectively, I think.

Here is an image from DVIC taken in 2005 showing the modification on an Avenger in Iraq.....I believe the 50 is an FN M3P.

Not to entirely question you, but do you have any other reference to this change? I haven't heard anything of it, and would definitely be interested in it. I know that the Avenger's have been used in convoys for their .50s, and the integrated thermal viewer (and I wouldn't be suprised the psychological effect of having two missile launchers too, even if they can't be used against ground troops).

Also you are right, it is called an M3P. The only real difference is the barrel, flash hider, and I think the selinoid (sp?) hookup. Internally, its a .50 cal at heart.

Jeff

Correct M3P - 200 rounds ammo. This is not a conversion I saw. I was with 1ID 4/3 ADA based out of Tikrit. We used them for convoy gun trucks until one of the batteries rolled one over. They were mostly used as perimeter defense along with the Linebackers. I was there until 02/05.

Yes it is an FN M3P....but with 600 rounds in the ammo box




Yes.....here you go......This will make it crystal clear.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2005/04/mil-050425-arnews01.htm

http://www.boeing.com/news/frontiers/archive/2005/july/i_ids6.html

http://www.boeing.com/ids/allsystemsgo/issues/vol3/num2/story10.html

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/antiaircraft-gun-trucks-in-iraq-0503/

Thanks Jason and Wayne. That helps alot. It seems like every day I learn something new about a humvee!

Jeff

Then thats a good improvement! At least it will last more than a few seconds.......

Don't forget close in protection from ground troops and light vehicles.

Maybe... THe M3P has a listed ROF of 1,100 rounds per minute vs. arouns 550 for the M2HB.
Didn't the Marine's LAV ADA (I don't remember the proper designation) have the ability to replace one of the stinger boxes with a seven round rocket pod? If you could do that on the Avenger it would increase its ability to engage ground targets, wouldn't it? ALthough a set up like that would probably not be very precice.

Rocket pod of what? SMAWs?

Jeff

HYDRA-70 rocket pod. From Globalsecurity.org :
"While Stinger is an effective weapon system, it is not the total answer. Presently, MI-24 Hind or MI-28 Havoc helicopters (armed with AT-6 or AT-10 missiles) have the capability to standoff at ranges of 6,000 to 8,000 meters. This distance is outside Stinger's maximum effective range. The LAV-AD needs an additional capability to counter this sophisticated standoff threat. The solution was to add 70mm Hydra-70 hypervelocity rockets to the system's weapon suite. The Hydra-70's, mounted in a seven rocket pod, would provide a credible capability against a standoff threat. To date, there remains considerable controversy regarding the utility of the Hydra-70 rockets. Most of this controversy is focused on the Hydra-70's questionable ability to hit moving targets. Notwithstanding, the Hydra-70 was originally viewed as a near-term fix with long-term growth potential. Accordingly, the mounting point for the Hydra-70 pod is actually a-universal mount."

More info HERE

HTH
Frenchy

Thanks for the clarification Frenchy.

Actually, I didn't know why the Hydra-70 mount was an option, my local newspaper carried an AP picture of one in Iraq. Naturally, the caption called it a Tank. I thought that it was for use aganist ground targets. Always happy to learn new stuff.

Here's a link with images of the LAV-AD mounting the Hydra-70 rocket pod.
http://www.armyrecognition.com/Amerique_du_nord/Etats_Unis/vehicules_a_roues/LAV-25/LAV-AD/LAV-AD_Etats_Unis_description.htm

Maybe it's just me, but this picture looks a bit weird (Photoshop ?) A 7-rocket pod should rather look like this :

M260 rocket pod

Frenchy

I don't think the 5 images of the LAV-AD mounting the rocket pod are photoshopped at all.

Yup, you posted an image of the M260 rocket pod for the 2.75 inch rockets.......but there is also the M261 launcher that can launch 19 Hydra rockets.........that's what it looks like to me on the LAV-AD in the link I posted.

If you want to compare the M260 and M261 launchers..........check this link........

http://www.aircav.com/hydra70.html

I think this clears this up.

I stand corrected Jason ! It was just me ....
Frenchy

The Hydra rockets would make alot of sence.

No they aren't guided by any means, but I think there is a flechette warhead for them (I believe), that would be great for taking on not only aircraft, but also ground troops.

With the 19rnd launcher, you could choose your loadout (that is if the rockets can be selectively fired), so that you have a mix of HE and Flechette rounds. I believe the Flechette round was developed for the Apache so that it had an air2air weapon to go against other gunships. This was of course before they started mounting stingers and Sidewinders to the Apachies.

The proposed Canadian MMEV also had one or a pair of these rocket pods attached to it to be used against a multitude of targets. Now that would be a cool vehicle to build!!!