[grouch]

I am a retired USMC CH-46 pilot. While the aircraft was, and is capable of mounting 7.62mm guns it was never done. Our standard was two .50 cal XM-218 machine guns with 100 rounds per gun. Ammo loadout varied with the wt of payload. The aircraft static ports provide an input to the automatic flight control system (AFCS) and are located just aft of the gun doors. The short barrel of the M60/M240 causes an overpressure at these ports playing havoc with the AFCS. Hence, these weapons were never used. In addition, the normal crew is 4, Pilot, Copilot, Crew Chief, and 1st mech/gunner.