Marine Ospreys exploring long-range deployments

gizmag ^ | 17 June 2006

[G Larry]

Do you have hard data or just pitiful attempts at adolescent slams?

[G Larry]

Weights empty weight 33,140 lbs (15,032 kg) maximum vertical take-off weight 52,870 lbs (23,982 kg) short take-off weight 57,000 lbs (25,855 kg) self deployment take-off weight 60,500 lbs (27,443 kg) maximum fuel capacity with wing and sponson tanks 2037 gallons (7,710 litres) 13,850 lbs (6,282 kg)
Hmmm….
Range - unrefuelled self-deployment range 2,100 nautical miles VTOL, payload of 24 fully equipped troops 430 nautical miles combat range VTOL, payload of 6,000 lbs cargo 430 nautical miles combat range VTOL, payload of 8,300 pounds of cargo 220 nautical miles
Seems like max cargo with full fuel load is 6129 kg. and I'm sure this doesn't account for those new guns your so in love with.
Isn't 220 nautical miles a bit pitiful?

[G Larry]

Oppss....seems like the math from paragraph 1 conflicts with conclusions in para 2 and this white elephant is only good for 6000 POUNDS, which equates to 24 troops UNLESS you also want those defensive guns too.

The V-22 operates as a helicopter when taking off and landing vertically. The nacelles rotate 90 degrees forward once airborne, converting the Osprey into a turboprop aircraft. It can provide V/STOL with a payload of 24 troops, or 6,000 pounds (2,722kg) of cargo, at 430 nautical miles (796km) combat range, or V/STOL with a payload of 8,300 pounds (3,765kg) of cargo for a range of 220 nautical miles (407km). The tilt-rotor aircraft is self-deployable world wide with a ferry range over 2,100 nautical miles (3,889km).