Mike,
Let's hope future wars
requiring vertical work fit as nicely into the V-22's parameters for waging war as does this one. It would also be nice for grunts to be able to shoot their M-4s out the window 'just in case' but that is also not possible. Anyways, here's some day-old propaganda on the V-22:
http://blog.wired.com/defense/2008/07/osprey-in-iraq.html
Osprey in Iraq: The Report Card
By David Hambling July 31, 2008 | 7:19:00 AMCategories: Copters, Planes, Copters, Blimps
Presidential candidate Barack Obama's flight on a V-22 Osprey marks a new high point for the tilt-rotor's publicity machine -- and a further indication of its transformation from assault transport to prestige VIP taxi. But photo-ops aside, how does the report card look for the first deployment of this much-hyped machine?
Availability rate: Could do better. Back in January we mentioned that after a bad start with rates of just 50%, stockpiling of spare parts had brought availability up to a "more comfortable" 80%.
According to Flight International, things have slipped a little. "On its initial seven-month deployment, [the Osprey unit] recorded a mission availability rate of around 70% and a monthly flying rate per aircraft of around 65 [hours]." You might have expected that a showpiece deployment of just ten aircraft -- one with high priority for spares and personnel -- could do a bit better than that.
Engines: More work needed. While modifications mean that the Ospreys in Iraq have not suffered from the spate of engine fires affecting tiltrotors in the US, news leaked out recently that an Osprey in Iraq made a forced landing. "A boroscope inspection of the combustion chamber showed that the liner had broken into pieces. These pieces entered into the gas generator, causing significant damage," theofficial statement said.
"The engine was breaking up. Not a good thing. But what’s more interesting is the indication that the troubled engine was still putting out considerable thrust, but the aircraft couldn’t maintain altitude," Bob Cox notes at Sky Talk. " The V-22 is supposed to be able to fly at least some distance and land on just one engine, but in this case it was unable to hold altitude while still getting significant power from the damaged engine.
We're still waiting for clarification on just how well the Osprey can fly on a single engine. Meanwhile, it turns out that then engines are wearing out much faster than expected, both in Iraq and in the US.
Armament: Improving reluctantly. For a long time, the Navy vigorously defended their decision against a huge amount of criticism for the Osprey to be fielded without weapons. Then, in March, the service reversed their view and decided that a 7.62 minigun will be installed after all -– but not until the third deployment to Iraq. The weapon will take up about 800 pounds of cargo space and will require some seats to be removed.
Business Acumen: Excellent! A ten billion dollar contact for 167 Ospreys was agreed in March. The transport of future Presidents and glamor models is assured.
(Photo: US Air Force)
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· Osprey Bursts into Flames; "Significant Damage"