But it looks to me like we already have a tilt-rotor troop mover aircraft in production (The V-22). So I have two questions: 1)What does the Valor do that the Osprey cannot do? And 2)Why not revamp the Osprey to meet the new requirements?
Thanks ahead of time for your considered responses.
It can be summed up in one word: "Size." The V-22 Osprey is a much larger aircraft than the V-280 Valor or any of the other Future Vertical Lift contenders.
The FVL program is to develop a family of airframes to replace the UH-60 Blackhawk and AH-64 Apache with new aircraft that are much faster, and have better high altitude and hot weather performance. (We are planning for new aircraft to refight the Afghan war.)
In addition to what others have said, the Valor should be cheaper and simpler as it will not include the expensive and complex rotor folding and wing rotating system needed for the Osprey to fit aboard ship, IIRC.
The max speed of the V22 is about 290 mph.
The max speed of the UH 60 Blackhawk is about 183 mph.
The max speed of the Apache Helicopter is about 176 mph.
The V22 can carry a heavier payload and fly higher than the listed specs for the V280.
However, a mission such as S.A.R. (Search and Rescue), speed is very important along with range.
For example, you have some injured people 100 miles away. It would take more than 30 minutes each way in the V22 and much longer than that in the Blackhawk.
Calculated time for 200 miles (round trip):
V280 would be about 60 minutes more or less.
V22 would be about 1 hour and 15 minutes more or less.
In a rescue operation when someone is injured, getting the person to proper facilities and the time to do that would be critical to saving the life.
By having multiple platforms with multiple different capabilities allows commanders to choose the platform (capability versus mission requirments).
The V280 should have a smaller RADAR footprint than the V22.
Just a different factor in usage...