[Myrddin]

Good info at the link. I was disappointed at the contract fumble. My co-worker did some excellent analysis on railcar bearing. 55 different defects discernible from the vibration signature. My task was to do the data acquisition, run the FFTs and send the data to a database to tease out the defects. I think we could have done a similar job for the Osprey, but never had the opportunity.

[Yo-Yo]

Too bad you weren't able to pursue investigation into the Osprey's drivetrain longevity issues.

When the Marines and Air Force first acquired the Osprey, the engines were bought with a "power by the hour" maintenance contract from Rolls-Royce. The government paid a flat rate per flight hour, and Rolls-Royce was responsible for all engine maintenance.

Rolls-Royce lost their shirts early on with this deal, as the Liberty engine was failing at a much faster rate than predicted in Afghanistan and Iraq. But that incentivized Rolls to upgrade and improve the engine reliability. Something they wouldn't necessarily have done so aggressively had the Power by the Hour contract not been in place, and they were just selling spare parts to the Marine Corps.