Very interesting idea for an aircraft, but this thing has killed too many already.
How long are we going to put up this piece of junk ? It doesn't even look like it wants to fly.
I'll bet that you're a proponent of removing all Blackhawks/Seahawks/Hueys/Cobras/Apaches/Chinooks/Sea Knights/Stallions/Super Stallions/Kiowas/Sea Rangers/Sea Kings from service based on the number of fatalities associated with them.
I disagree strongly. From what I know (and I will admit, I don't have any experience flying in them in combat, I am a former jet mechanic in the USN and aviation buff), the most dangerous part of the flight for a combat helicopter is ingress/egress. Stands to reason, I guess. The Osprey has such a fast transition to full speed forward flight at top speeds much greater than a standard helicopter, that its window of vulnerablity is greatly reduced.
If you add the ability to get this craft to nearly anywhere in the world by flying it there, instead of having to stick it on a ship or inside a C-5 or C-17, the mission readiness of the platform is so far ahead of a standard helicopter that it will radically change the logistical planning for interdiction/rescue missons.
This aircraft does have extensive teething pains, but the payoffs are enormous if our country can make it work. We need to go the extra mile to ensure our military has every single advantage we can supply them with, because they are going to need it in the next 25 years.
I also agree.
These things scare the he!! out of me. Too many Marines have been killed just in the testing phase. If need be, stick with the Chinooks.