What is it?
The Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey is a vertical takeoff and landing tiltrotor helicopter, meaning it’s rotors turn into plane propellers. It combines the vertical landing qualities of a helicopter with the range and speed of a turboprop aircraft. It is mainly used in special operations by the U.S. Air Force and Marines. This aircraft has recently been in a lot of crashes due to the blade rotator malfunctioning.
Why was it created?
It was created to infiltrate, exiltrate, and resupply areas that would normally require both a fixed-wing aircraft and a helicopter to reach. It therefore makes these operations more efficient by eliminating the need for two separate aircraft. These are primarily used in special operations due to the fact that pilots have to be specially trained for operating the aircraft. The cost is also a big issue because each unit costs $90 million to build.
What are the general characteristics?
- Builders: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc, Boeing Company
- Deployment date: 2006
- Propulsion: Two Rolls-Royce AE1107C engines
- Thrust: greater than 6,200 shaft horsepower per engine
- Length: 57′ 4″
- Height: 22′ 1″
- Wingspan: 83′ 10″
- maximum gross: 60,500 pounds
- Range: combat radius of 500 nautical miles with one internal auxiliary fuel tank
- Crew: 2 pilots, 2 special mission aviators
- Program of record: 56 aircraft planned by the end of 2025
- Rotor diameter: 38 feet
- Armament: one .50 caliber machine gun
- Payload: 24 personnel (seated) 32 personnel (floor loaded) or 10,000 pounds of cargo
- Unit cost: $90 million
Related Stories:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_Boeing_V-22_Osprey
https://www.boeing.com/defense/v-22-osprey#overview
https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104531/cv-22-osprey/
https://www.aviation.marines.mil/About/Aircraft/Tilt-Rotor/
https://www.bellflight.com/products/bell-boeing-v-22
Take action:
https://americanhelicopter.museum/aircraft/bell-boeing-v-22-osprey/
