Re: V22 Osprey fails OPEVAL
IC,
A 105 knot advantage as demonstrated is still far less than two times the speed of the helicopter and for the V22 to carry the same payload as the Sikorsky or Chinook....it will take three sorties not one. (That is for small cube loads internally as well) Please remember the cube inside the cabin is much smaller on the V22.
I have also heard that the V22 engine removal and replacement has to be done on the flight deck because it is too tall for the hangar deck when in the required configuration. Factor that into a tactical situation requiring light discipline not to mention the howling gale that usually blows along the flight deck.
This is one of those situations that only gets worse with effort.
Bluntly....it is a Boondogle! In the Army we would call it FUBAR!