Posted on 05/16/2003 10:15:46 AM PDT by klpt
The Pentagon on Thursday ordered 11 new V-22 Osprey aircraft for $817 million, giving a boost to a program plagued by deadly crashes and other problems.
The program had been in danger of being eliminated after 23 Marines died in crashes during testing in 2000. The aircraft's maker, a joint venture between Boeing Co. and Textron Inc.'s Bell Helicopter unit, had to redesign parts of the aircraft to fix hydraulic and other problems.
The Osprey has fixed wings and propellors that can tilt upward so the craft can take off and land like a helicopter, then tilt forward so it can fly like an airplane. The Marine Corps wants to use the Osprey as a replacement for its aging fleet of transport helicopters. The Air Force and Navy are interested in using the Osprey, too.
A December 2000 crash in North Carolina that killed four Marines was blamed on a design flaw that allowed electrical and hydraulic lines to rub together while the rotors were being tilted, causing the hydraulic lines to burst.
The hydraulic and electrical lines have been rerouted to solve that problem, the Pentagon said in a statement.
The deadliest crash was blamed on an aerodynamic condition called "vortex ring state" that happened during an unusually rapid descent. Nineteen Marines died in that April 2000 crash near Tucson, Ariz.
The Pentagon ordered another round of testing for the Osprey after the redesign, and military officials have said those tests have gone well. Ordering 11 more Ospreys to be built is a signal that the program has passed those tests.
The Osprey has a longer range and flies faster and more quietly than the Marines' current fleet of transport helicopters.
The new Ospreys will be built at factories in Ridley Park, Penn., and Fort Worth and Amarillo, Texas.
Most posters were simply forwarding the History and test results of the craft.
They shared from their viewpoint....thats what FR is all about.
Riccioni will still be correct in his evaluation...ie...Marines will have to fly a helo to do what Osprey cannot.
One of my Family members is a Colonel in the U.S. Airforce presently...a Freeper flew with him in Desert Storm...they both bump into each other at the Pentagon.
Another Family member flies F-15E's out of Lakenheath with the 48TH...they are back from operations Northern and Southern Watch.
I like to share about them...and other family..like one in the RAF who was a test pilot on the protoype Supermarine Spitfire.
Battle of Britian vet....wing commander etc.
or about other family who flew P-40's with the AVG ..the Flying Tigers...others who flew B-24'S with the 44TH to Ploesti.
You see...with me..its all about HONOR AND SERVICE AND COUNTRY.
Men are the Glory of a nations armed services.
Its just right to HONOR those who have earned a nations thanks...men like Riccioni...and yes...my family members too : )
P.S....who gives a rats ass about Osprey...is it worth bludgeoning others to win some prize?
Please do not be wrath with us mortals for our understanding is not as yours..oh great one.
Cutting wind as I exit the Temple of the Aviation god. : )
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