V-22 in the news again

**glyn** · 23 Dec 06,, 23:02

Originally Posted by Gun Grape

Ospreys HAVE BEEN TESTED for single engine failure in flight. And have done single engine landings

As I have never seen this in print I was unaware of this.

Lee Gaillard slips in "to take off" and then says that it hasn't been tested.

This is a false statement. "The V-22 has never been tested to land with one engine shut down. "

This is a true statement:"The V-22 has never been tested to take off or land with one engine shut down. "

The Osprey has met or exceeded all KPP and milestone requirements. Its been certified not only by the DoD, Don but also by a MIT panel.

I do love how he puts forth "defects" that are his own. The V-22 was tested to 14.5mm and he complains that it wasn't tested against "RPG"s.
I know a fer APCs that would fail that test. WOuld he like to test his replacement choices against RPGs? Or would that become a nonissue.

I suppose an invincible flying machine would be a bit of a novelty

He also talks about the vunerable descent rate that the V-22 must fly by. 800 FPM. Oh my God, thats so slow that they will be hanging in the air just waiting to be shot down.

Oh did he mention the maximum descent rate, in the same environment (low forward speed), of the CH-46 and CH-53? Well no. FYI they are able to swoop down at the blistering speed of 460 FPM.

Guess this is the airborne version of the Stryker. Oh wait, that seemed to work pretty good vice being the rolling death trap it was suppose to be.

As your information seems more comprehensive than mine, I look forward to further news on the subject.

**adroth** · 05 Dec 07,, 00:24

Dunno if anyone's posted these yet. Mods, please feel free to delete is this is redundant.

V-22 videos

YouTube - V-22 Osprey

YouTube - USS Bataan Osprey testing

YouTube - V-22 Osprey

YouTube - Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey

CNN: YouTube - CNN Report on the V-22 Osprey

Hoist & fast rope ops: YouTube - CV-22 Fast Rope

Crash video

YouTube - Aircraft-Helicopter V22 Crash

**Jimmy** · 05 Dec 07,, 05:30

Weird to see this thread pop up again. An Osprey flew right over me today, at about 300 ft. The only other time I've seen one fly was at Nellis, from a couple of miles away. Pretty neat stuff.

**dundonrl** · 05 Dec 07,, 06:11

here's a month old report, by a V-22 Osprey test pilot..

Monday Nov 19, 2007
The truth about the Osprey

By: COL. GLENN WALTERS - commentary

Unlike most of the V-22 critics, I have actually flown the MV-22 Osprey.

I flew hundreds of hours in this remarkable aircraft when I commanded the Marine Corps' test and evaluation squadron 2003-2006, and I am obliged to tell the truth.

The truth is the Osprey is the most thoroughly tested aircraft in the history of aviation for one fundamental reason: the safety of its passengers. Our nation expects that the military will use the best engineered, maintained and operated equipment available. Our troops deserve it. The Osprey we are flying today is just that.

Some critics say that we haven't flown the Osprey in the desert. Not true. My squadron flew in desert environments on multiple occasions totaling months of tests. The squadron now in Iraq completed several desert training periods prior to deploying. In fact, we just had another squadron of MV-22s in California and Arizona doing more of the same. Not only can the Ospreys fly in the desert, the aircraft's advanced technology makes it easier than in any other rotorcraft to land in brownout conditions.

Other critics point out that the MV-22 does not have a forward-firing weapon, but none puts this in context: no medium or heavy lift aircraft in the U.S. inventory has a forward-firing weapon. MV-22s flying in Iraq have ramp-mounted machine guns, which have become the standard on our aircraft in operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, based on the threat. That, and the inherent capabilities of the aircraft (range, speed and altitude), give the MV-22 the ability to reduce susceptibility and vulnerability to many threats.

The MV-22 has limited visibility through the cabin windows, much like the CH-46 and the CH-53E, but what most critics do not know is that the troop commander, who rides in the back of the Osprey, has unparalleled situational awareness from the on-board precision navigation system with moving maps and a significant communications capability. These capabilities are not an option in existing Marine Corps aircraft.

The MV-22 is the most maneuverable medium lift assault support platform in the world. Conventional helicopters are limited to standard rotary wing tactics and airspeeds, while the MV-22 has the ability to fly like a turboprop airplane as well as a conventional helicopter. As an airplane, it can climb or descend at a significantly higher rate than any helicopter and transit at much higher speeds.

Vortex Ring State is a phenomenon experienced by all rotorcraft ---- not just the Osprey. While the MV-22 is the only aircraft with a warning system that alerts pilots to VRS conditions, it is the least susceptible to this phenomenon.

To argue whether the aircraft is worth the money spent is an unending debate. To the injured Marine or soldier whose life is saved due to the unparalleled capabilities of the MV-22, I would posit that the aircraft is worth every penny.

Col. Walters heads the Marine Corps' aviation plans section in the Pentagon and previously commanded Marine Tiltrotor Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron Twenty-Two (VMX-22).