MV-22 Osprey's are in the AF. 10 aircraft were flown across Pakistan from the USS Bataan and are now bedded down in the capable hands of a Marine V-22 Squadron that was flown there without its aircraft. VMM-261 deployed sans aircraft while VMM-263 (REIN) was deployed on the USS Bataan with its full complement of V-22's. This is not unprecedented in the V-22 community, when the V-22 conducted its first deployment to Iraq the Squadron that initially deployed with the aircraft were relieved when their time in country was complete and they returned to the states, leaving the V-22 in country in the hands of a different Squadron.The V-22 was designed to replace the CH-46E medium lift helicopters and has had a very dubious past. The Marines have worked hard to erase those bad experiences and putting this aircraft into a combat area will go a long way to proving that this system is worth the loss of so many during its infancy. Or it will show it to be the boondoggle that many think of the system overall.
I have seen these close up, I used to work at the NAVAIR HQ in Patuxent River Maryland and these things were a common sight in the sky. I was able on more than one occasion to climb aboard and look around. As interesting as they are to an aviation buff, I was shocked at the lack of armor to protect the cargo. Now, maybe this is common in combat helicopters and I know that weight is an issue in any flying machine, but the men and women that will ride these into a hot LZ are sitting on mere plastic. A scary thing for a parent with boy in the Marines. I am sure the creative ones will come up with a wide to ride them safely.
BT: Jimmy T sends.
6 comments:
I sincerely hope the V-22s work out. We'll be getting them at Cannon AFB next year.
Buck, there is a lot of promise in the concept plus you can't beat the hauling capacity. Just hope they can keep them running in that asture enviroment.
BT: Jimmy T sends.
We had HC3 det 106 aboard for vertrep, using 2 Sea Knights. They had no armor, and were exactly the same as the Marine helos at Da Nang. Thin aluminum skin giving the illusion of protection.
Have you read:
http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htairmo/articles/20091026.aspx
Or this:
http://www.g2mil.com/scandal.htm
Alternatives:
http://www.g2mil.com/V-22retirement.htm
I thought it a good idea back when, but after reading the second post, I am unconvinced of its usefulness. The g2mil.com site had a lot of good arguments for pulling the plug. Helos are complex enough, but this thing has a cross-connected 'main feed' (old DD saying) to prevent rollover due to engine failure in addition to tiltable engine pods. Whatta mess. Too complex to maintain in the field, and not enough room on LPD/LPH vessels, except on the flight deck. Whooo boy this is gonna hurt... The original project manager has likely retired, and some sap is going to get his/her career hammered...
tom walsh
I just read part of this:
http://www.g2mil.com/V-22safety.htm
and am concerned. This program should likely be stopped totally. The V22 should be replaced by usable helos.
If I had family that could possibly be aboard these craft, I would be seriously concerned, sorry to say.
The web site g2mil.com does not have one positive comment that I noticed, though I have not read it all. It does have enough to make me want this 22+ year old project terminated with prejudice.
tom
Tom, I am pessimistic about this beast too, I used to work in the NAVAIR development community and watched the cover up of major aircraft program blunders, the original P-8 program (back in the mid-80’s), and especially the A-12. Those program managers and engineers were never punished or admonished for their involvement in those failures; they were moved onto other programs including the V-22. I think the mind set is to push it through no matter what and that is what we got. Same with the F/A-18, it was originally the failing bid for what became the F-16, so they sized it up, added a second engine and threw it into the fleet. It does neither job better than the aircraft it replaced (F-14, A-6). So, I do have qualms about the V-22 but hold hope that they work out their issues. Putting them in the extreme environment of Iraq and Afghanistan should either break them or prove them out. I just hope my Boy does not have to hitch a ride on one while he is there. Thanks for the comments and all the great links.
BT: Jimmy T sends.
I was part of HC 3 det 106 on the White Plains and the Midway in 1977. I was the AME for the detachment.
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