Bell OspreyThe V-22 Osprey is a joint service, multi-mission military aircraft with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability. It is designed to perform VTOL missions like a conventional helicopter while also having the long-range cruise abilities of a twin turboprop aircraft.
The Osprey is the world's first production tiltrotor aircraft with a 38 ft (12 m) rotor, engine, and transmission nacelle mounted on each wing tip. It typically operates as a helicopter with its nacelles vertical (rotors horizontal) for takeoff and landing. Once airborne, the nacelles rotate forward 90 degrees in as little as 12 seconds for horizontal flight, converting the V-22 to a high-speed, fuel-efficient turboprop airplane. STOL, rolling-takeoff and landing capability is achieved by having the nacelles tilted forward up to 45 degrees. For compact storage aboard a ship, the wing rotates (about the z-axis), and the proprotors fold in a sequence that takes between 90 and 120 seconds.[1]
Because of the extreme downdraft of the propellers, Marines cannot rappel out the side doors as on conventional helicopers. Moreover, the engines block the firing arc of side-mounted machine guns. Marines will use the rear ramp to exit and a ramp gun mount is in development. A chin-mounted turret has also been proposed.
The United States Marine Corps is the lead service in the development of the V-22 Osprey. The Marine Corps version, the MV-22B, will be an assault transport for troops, equipment and supplies, and will be capable of operating from ships or from expeditionary airfields ashore. The planned, but as yet unfunded, U.S. Navy V-22 will provide combat search and rescue, delivery and retrieval of special warfare teams along with fleet logistic support transport. The CV-22 operated by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) will conduct long-range special operations missions, combat rescue, among other special missions. The V-22 Osprey will replace the Marine Corps CH-46E and CH-53D. However, it will not replace the Air Force's MH-53 PAVE LOW helicopters.
The Osprey was developed and is built jointly by Bell Helicopter Textron, who manufacture and integrate the wing, nacelles, rotors, drive system, tail surfaces, and aft ramp, as well as integrating the Rolls-Royce engines; and Boeing Helicopters, who manufacture and integrate the fuselage, cockpit, avionics, and flight controls. Portions are manufactured in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Amarillo, Texas. Final assembly and delivery occurs in Amarillo. The joint development team is known as Bell-Boeing.
Picture added on 18 July 2006
1.an Irish chinook and
2. a military version of chitty chitty bang Bang.
it looks cool and performs well I wonder if the RAF will get one? a Harrier with props, maybe, or something else.
Added by Robert Nesbitt on 29 July 2006.