Post by Tomahawk on Apr 26, 2005 13:34:56 GMT
Model: Bell/ Boeing V-22 Osprey
Type: Vertical flight-capable Transport
Made by: USA
A V/STOL assault transport designed to supersede the aging/conventional large helicopters built by Boeing and Sikorsky, the V-22 Osprey is a tilt-rotor hybrid rotary/fixed-wing aircraft offering an excellent combination of payload and range. It can takeoff and land like a helicopter, but, once airborne, its blades can be rotated to convert the aircraft to a turboprop airplane capable of high-speed, high-altitude flight.
The V-22 Osprey is the first aircraft designed from the ground up to meet the needs of all four U.S. armed services. The aircraft can transport U.S. Marine Corps assault troops and cargo using its medium lift and vertical takeoff and landing (V/STOL) capabilities. It meets U.S. Navy requirements for combat search and rescue, fleet logistics support, and special warfare support.
Specifications[/u]:
Total Length: 57.415 ft (17.50 m)
Greatest Height: 17.717 ft (5.40 m )
Wingspan: 84.646 ft (25.80 m)
Wing Area: 383.198 sq.ft (35.600 m²)<br>Max. take off weight: 60511.8 lbs (27443.0 kg)
Weight Empty: 31778.5 lbs (14412.0 kg)
Max. Payload Weight: 28733.4 lbs (13031.0 kg)
Max. Speed: 300 kts (345.2 mph, 556 km/h)
Cruising Speed: 275 kts (316.5 mph, 510 km/h)
Range: Amphibious assault- 599 nm (689.7 miles, 1110 km); High Altitude- 2,418 miles (3892 km)
Ceiling: 26001 ft (7925 m)
Payload: 24 passengers, 12 litters; Less if armed and armored.
Crew:Normal: 3 - pilot, copilot, 1st mechanic
Armament: 2 turret-mounted .50 caliber heavy-machine guns or the equivalent; 2 external hard-points available.
Notes: The V-22's tilt-rotor design can also be adapted to missions not specified by current service requirements. With its speed, range and internal cargo capacity, the Osprey could be adapted to meet numerous other missions including aerial refueling, medical evacuation, and executive/VIP transport.
Advantages
Better Than A Helicopter
The V-22 provides vertical takeoff and hover performance similar to a conventional helicopter. It can takeoff from small, unimproved, or confined areas and still fly long-range missions. Because of the combination of high speed, long-range and large payload capacity, it offers the war fighter significant productivity increases compared to a conventional helicopter.
Better Than An Airplane
The V-22 has the efficiencies of a twin turboprop without the need to takeoff or land on a runway. It can operate from small, unimproved sites or a large variety of surface ships and still insert combat troops and equipment over long ranges while hovering over a landing zone.