| The United States Marine Corps is an avid fan of | | | | transport. |
| technological breakthroughs and acquiring their new | | | | The V-22 was finally tested in March 2007. The first |
| V-22 Osprey is just one indicator that this character | | | | batch of these planes was delivered to the Marine |
| is still burning strong. V-22 Osprey belongs to the | | | | Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 at New River, North |
| latest generation of VSTOL (vertical short takeoff | | | | Carolina. Initial shipment to USMC is at 360 units. The |
| and landing) aircrafts. Its tilt/rotor technology is a | | | | Navy also ordered about 48 and 50 for the Air Force. |
| pioneer in military aviation. The VSTOL designation | | | | The Osprey has since then taken on lead roles in |
| means that an Osprey has turboshaft engines | | | | many blockbuster movies such as Transformers, |
| mounted on the very ends f the forward wings, | | | | helping further spread its impressive appearance. Its |
| allowing it to fly like a conventional prop forward | | | | technical specifications however, are just as |
| aircraft but can also do a 90-degree swivel to land | | | | impressive as well. This plane is powered by twin |
| and hover like a helicopter. | | | | 6,150-shaft horsepower turboshaft that drive a 38' |
| This means greater flexibility for commanders in | | | | diameter three-blade proprotor at 47,500 pounds |
| battlefields. The aircraft can take off and land | | | | each. The engines are connected by a shaft that |
| vertically during deployments of troops and supplies. | | | | provides continuous lift and power if one engine fails. |
| In general, the technology is similar to that used by | | | | The Osprey was also designed to carry an additional |
| AV-8 Harrier jets, also employed by the USMC, but | | | | external weight of 10,000 pounds for shorter hauls. |
| using a jet engine instead. The V-22s will replace the | | | | Two pilots are going to fly this aircraft and to carry it |
| Vietnam-era vintage CH-46 and CH-53 medium lift | | | | to combat. 24 Marines plus their organic equipment |
| choppers. | | | | can be transported at one time. It can be refueled in |
| However, just like any new aircraft out of production | | | | mid-air and so has great potential for worldwide |
| line and mainly untested in fields of battle, the | | | | deployment. The fuselage was designed to take on |
| development of Osprey was plagued by glitches. This | | | | hits and withstand battle damage with |
| technological breakthrough in aviation is a pioneering | | | | graphite-reinforced epoxy composite, to make it |
| project and is expected to encounter red tape and | | | | lighter. As expected of military aircrafts, the Osprey |
| failures along the line. The loss of 26 Marines and 4 | | | | has redundant flight control, hydraulic, and electrical |
| civilians recently is considered the most noteworthy | | | | systems. |
| failure in a series of minor glitches in Osprey's | | | | While there are many skeptics about this recent |
| development. Other delays for the project are | | | | development of such an amazing aircraft, including |
| government-related stuff like lack of parts, logistics, | | | | senators and lawmakers, the Osprey has a great |
| false alarms, system failures, etc. The USMC corps is | | | | potential to become a dominant technology news in |
| however undeterred and after 20 years in | | | | the field. With proper training and preparation of its |
| development, the V-22 is about to pay off big time | | | | pilots, this plane will place on top among the list best |
| with a safer, faster, and a very reliable combat | | | | aircrafts anytime. |