[JoenTX]

+1000

It will turn our LHDs into true force projection platforms. But, I gotta say that the huge gaping barn door upper door for the lift fan is wopping.

They better be aware of it or it’ll freakin’ yank their wings off.

[Kickass Conservative]

The original Prototype had a four piece hinged door that folded to each side. I'm sure there is a YouTube video of the original version that I saw on the Military Channel.

[Jeff Head]

Yes...they gave up an internal bay for weapons...but that's a trade off you have to make to get the VSTOL capability. They still have the side bays, and of course underwing mounts (which impact stealth).

However, given their better stealth in any case, their range, their speed, and manueverability, they will be a big improvement.

Now, if the US Navy will develop an AEW variant of the V-22, and an ASW variant of the same, you have the opportunity to turn the USS America and other large deck vessels into powerful power projection units. You could use one to escort a Phibron without having to dedicate a nuclear carrier to it.

Our allies would see a huge value in that too. Their smaller carriers which currently do not have the AEW range or long-legs for their ASW, and who are outfitted with the shorter-range, much less capable HArriers, would now have small "Jeep" carriers packing a lot of wallup.