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V-22 Osprey, US Marines
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This model's engines tilt!
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The V-22 Osprey is a tilt rotor vertical/short takeoff and landing (VSTOL), multi-mission aircraft developed to fill various combat operational requirements. The tilt rotor design combines the vertical flight capabilities of a helicopter with the speed and range of a turboprop airplane while permitting aerial refueling and world-wide self deployment. The MV-22 will replace the current Marine Corps medium lift assault helicopters CH-46E and CH-53D for amphibious transport of troops, equipment and supplies from assault ships and land bases The Air Force variant, the CV-22, will replace the MH-53J and MH-60G to provide a long-range VTOL insertion and extraction capability and augment the MC-130 fleet in the Special Operations mission. Two 6150 hp turbo shaft engines each drive a 38 foot diameter, 3-bladed prop-rotor. The prop-rotors are connected to each other by interconnecting shafts which maintain prop-rotor synchronization and provide single engine power to both prop-rotors in the event of failure by one engine. The engines and flight controls are protected by a triple redundant digital fly-by-wire system. The airframe is constructed mostly of graphite-reinforced epoxy composite material. This gives an improved strength to weight ratio, more corrosion resistance and better damage tolerance compared to typical metal construction. An integrated electronic warfare defensive suite including a radar warning receiver, a missile warning set, and a countermeasures dispensing system will be installed. The first Osprey prototype flew in March 1989. Sea trials were held aboard the USS Wasp in 1990 and aboard the USS Saipan in 1999. First delivery occurred later that year and full production started in 2001. Several areas of concern over the Osprey remain unresolved because of limitations to the flight test operations. These concerns include severe prop-rotor downwash effects during personnel insertion and extraction via hoist or rope. In addition, concerns exist in the areas of communications, navigation and crew field of view. Also, the reliability and maintainability of a few subsystems need attention. Despite these concerns, the V-22 design remains potentially suitable and operationally effective. In 1986 the cost of a single V-22 was estimated at $24 million with 923 aircraft to be built. In 1989 the Bush administration cancelled the project at which time the unit cost was estimated at $35 million with 602 aircraft planned. The program was revived by the incoming Clinton administration and current plans call for building 458 Ospreys for $37.3 billion - or more than $80 million apiece. The Marines will receive 360 Ospreys, the Navy 48 and the Air Force fifty. Three test aircraft have crashed. No one was killed in the 1991 crash but an accident in 1992 killed seven men and a third in April 2000 killed 19 Marines. Crew:
Pilot and co-pilot
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