Sasless,
VMM-266 7 month deployment ended spring 09:
(3040 hours/10 aircraft)/7 months = 43.4 hours/aircraft/month
[It was stated that 266 deployment was approximately 6 months, I rounded to 7. If it was closer to 6 then it’s 50.6 hours/aircraft/month]
HMM 161 7 month deployment ended spring 09:
(4300 hours/12 aircraft)/7 months= 51.1 hours/aircraft/month
All 3 VMM deployments to Iraq:
(9000 hours/10 aircraft)/19 months = 47.3 hours/aircraft/month
HMM 161 3 deployments to Iraq:
(9100 hours/12 aircraft)/21 months= 35.7 hours/aircraft/month
[I assumed that 161 did 3 7 month deployments (USMC standard). If you cut them down to 19 months to match with the VMMs you get 39.5 hours/aircraft/month]
http://safetycenter.navy.mil/media/approach/spotlight/HMM-161.htm
http://www.nowpublic.com/world/us-marine-mv-22b-osprey-al-qaim-iraq
http://www.mnfwest.usmc.mil/public/InfolineMarines.nsf/(ArticlesRead)/35A69C71EB704814852575940036A13C
http://www.mnfwest.usmc.mil/public/InfolineMarines.nsf/(ArticlesRead)/601B28055877F5DB8525759A002FB917
Considering the ebb and flow of Ops Tempo and mission requirements I think the numbers compare pretty well. Considering that a V-22 will make 240 over the ground it can make 2 trips to Al Qaim in the same time it takes a 46 to make 1 (unless it’s a Bullfrog in which case the 46 takes longer). Given that, assume someone you care is wounded at AQ and needs to get back to Al Asad for treatment. (Last I was there AQ only had triage). Would you rather they spend 19 minutes on a V22 or 38 on a 46? He’s your friend not mine so it’s up you.
Ned's right, the V-22 will probably not perform well at altitude. That's a problem.
Could someone please define for what the "frontlines" are in Iraq?
"I don't think this is an urgent question, but we're prepared to discuss it going forward," Trautman said... Since they are coming after F22, F35, VH71 and every other expensive program, probably a smart move and not V22 specific. At $105m+ I wouldn't be surprised to see the 53K mentioned either.
Dan Dan Dan,
“What's really pathetic are those who come to a forum defending such a trash heap rather than quietly putting their time in and hoping to be reassigned to something that actually supports the marines (and silently cursing his luck for having to fly the MC's biggest aviation mistake to date). Bragging about this flying junk pile just sullies our marine officers' overall credability(sp).”
From this I can only assume that you think I’m a V-22 pilot and I am defending the V-22. As I have stated before I have not flown the V-22. I doubt I ever will. Could you please tell me what I have said to defend the V-22? I’ve only questioned what you and others have written and pointed discrepancies. Why does that sully my credability and make me pathetic? You have yet to respond with something anything useful.
If you have so much faith in Carlton then perhaps you should push stronger for his RAH-60 Gunhawk (http://www.g2mil.com/gunhawks.htm) with some of your Sikorsky buds on here, or any of his other not so brilliant ideas.
By the way Dan, this is PPRUNE, Professional Pilots Rumour Network. Why do I get the feeling you’re neither professional nor a pilot?