The tilt-rotor V-22 Osprey helicopter was designed form the Bell-produced XV-15 demonstrator, a design looking to produce the next generation in helicopter design. The system is unique in the use of the tilt-rotor assemblies, offering up helicopter-like capabilities with aircraft-like in-air performance. The system can operate in a dual role due to the engineering of the wing systems. In the helicopter role, the system can revert the engines into the traditional helicopter "up" position and when in flight, the system can then bring the propellers down for forward motion. In concept, the Osprey design would be the logical next step in battlefield logistics and support. In reality, the system has not fared as well.
The V-22 Osprey design dates back as early as the 1980s. With the end of the Cold War, the system nearly was canceled for economic measures. By 2000, the system was still in development as the complicated sub-systems made the engineering of the aircraft a challenge in most regards. Early crashes of two prototypes, both in 2000 and resulting in fatalities, nearly did the system in once more. With pressure mounting to produce, and the general kinks reportedly ironed out, the system was passed for full scale service in 2006.
As of this writing, the V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor helicopter is expected to be in combat service with the United States Marine Corps in Iraq by the end of 2008. The system will more likely be fielded in a limited transportation role, either in delivery of supplies or transportation of troops, and begin taking the place of the vulnerable CH-46 and CH-53 helicopters. The major advantages in the V-22 system over its contemporaries lie in the high-altitude performance of the Osprey, flying higher than the aforementioned helicopters, thus lowering the chance that the system could be shot out of the sky or have a rotor even slightly damaged. The system is also highly-touted for its troop carrying capabilities, being able to transport up to 24 combat-ready marines along with its two pilots and crew chief/loadmaster.
The V-22 Osprey should see use with the United States Air Force and Marine Corps branches in the future, possibly available in a lightly-armed special forces derivative as well. The United States Navy cancelled its interest in the Osprey program (HV-22 Combat SAR) in 2001. With that, the Osprey has its share of critics and detractors and ultimately combat performance will value (or devalue) the system and program as a whole.
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