LW,
Your post is spot on for almost all points made, but particularly the importance of air cover provided by support aircraft including the AV-8B. Both the Osprey and Harrier can be launched from the same platform. Other a/c like the AC-130 or A-10 would be great to have for providing air cover, but cannot be counted on in a theatre engagement launched from ship born platforms.
As has been stated previously on this thread, lines should not be blurred when applying intelligence support/limitations to vertical lift aircraft. To be valid they cannot be directed at the tiltrotor exclusively, they need to be applied across the board to all vertical lift aircraft.
The only place I would disagree is a mention that there was a claim that the Osprey is "more stealthy" than a helicopter. I have not seen any claims to that effect on this thread (see post 1012 and subsequent on p. 51). The 'boxy' nature of the Osprey fuselage is similar to the CH-47 and other helicopters and certainly does not have the angular design to provide the reflective qualities necessary to characterize it as 'stealthy' with regard to radar returns. The 'stealth qualities' that it does possess are the ability to get in and out faster and more quietly than conventional helicopters. True "radar stealthiness" based on physical design attributes of the aircraft more likely resides with the modified Blackhawks that were able to avoid detection on their recent visit to Pakistan.
Last edited by 21stCen; 11th Jul 2011 at 20:34.