And now, for something COMPLETELY different...
...the V-22 "Osprey".
Read all about it:
Official Military V-22 Website
Official Bell V-22 Website
Official Boeing V-22 Website
The V-22 has been developed to perform United States Marine Corps (USMC), United States Navy (USN), and United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) combat missions. The V-22 design, incorporating advanced technology takes advantage of proven technology in composite materials, digital fly-by-wire flight controls, and advanced survivability and crashworthiness. A tiltrotor combines the speed, range and fuel efficiency normally associated with turboprop aircraft with the vertical take-off/landing and hover capabilities of helicopters. The tiltrotor represents a major technological breakthrough in aviation that meets long standing military needs.
Late-breaking news: V-22 Gets OK For Production
This has been literally decades in the making. There have been substantial technical difficulties, and various funding problems, keeping the program from getting "off the ground" as it were.
(Yes, pun intended...)
I've been installing and rigging the flight controls on the V-22 for years now, having been involved with the project since the 80's. It will be a valuable asset in many different applications, most notably Search & Rescue operations. It would've been nice if they'd been available for the aftermath of Katrina, but that's water over the dam (or levee) now, I suppose.
I'd highly recommend checking out the links I posted above...
posted by camojack | 10:50
31 Comments:
CamoJack,
Congrats soon another bird in the air... What I want to know is it really that quiet…
JR
JR:
Well...it's quieter than a conventional helicopter, but not all that quiet, really.
Looks like a giant leap ahead for troop and cargo deployment. Thanks for the heads-up!
Cool! So you work in the aerospace industry? I'm jealous!
May it be a successful aircraft for our military operations. It's both cool and weird looking at the same time!
Beerme:
Since it has twice the speed and range of the conventional helicopters that have been traditionally utilized in that role...it's a quantum leap forward, yes.
Libby Gone™:
It's not just a job, it's an adventure.
'da Bunny:
As someone who is also cool (or so I like to think) and weird-looking; thanks, I hope so too, and fully expect so.
Marsha:
Whilst I would dearly love to take a ride in one, I'm just a "wrench", as 'twere...
CAMO,
no such thing as "just a wrench".
everybody contributes in ways not always recognized by themselves or others.
I participated in a appeal to the Military to use "off the shelf technology" in the late 80's and early 90's to utilize existing RC Airplane equipment for Military use. I'd like to think we are pursueing UAV's because of the insite of us "experimenters".
oh yeah, i'm still JEALOUS!
9:11
again camo.
Libby Gone™:
You're right; I don't do humility well anyway...I'm a GREAT "wrench"!
But don't be jealous, it's unbecoming...
So cool!!!
I want to fly it (me being a former USAF pilot, you know). Too bad I was never in special forces.
Pat'sRick©:
I think it's a pretty nifty platform, too.
Incidentally, when I got out of the Army, Special Forces was the only thing I would have re-enlisted for; unfortunately (?) I was considered a discipline case, so they didn't want me.
Kajun:
Yes, it has flaps; when the engine nacelles are rotated forward, it's essentially a turbprop aircraft, so it needs those fixed-wing type appurtenances, in addition to the rotary-wing variety.
Now that the "Man Cave" is outfitted with a work bench, maybe I can get back to building R/C Airplanes. This would be one heck of a project. Getting it to rotate in flight would be the ultimate micro engineering feat!
It's good to see those wonderful aircraft back up and in production again. Good work my friend.
Libby Gone™:
Some folks have already been trying to build a fully functional radio-controlled V-22.
(So far, without success)
kwl:
Thanks. It's been in the works for a long time, and the CH-46's they've been mostly slated to replace are getting quite antiquated by now...
Thanks camo!
I added the site to my favorites. Amazing!
camo: "I was considered a discipline case." Glad I wasn't drinking anything! :oD
Pat'sRick: I think you are a Special Force all on your own.
Haven't been around much: my sinus and bronchile tract have been invaded by some horrible species of slime (sorry) that has overtaken my every motion, ounce of energy, will to live, etc.
(School's been in for 3 weeks. Sick Time! Nick had it for 2 days; I'm going on 5)
Finally made it to the doc yesterday and got 4 'scripts. Can't wait to really turn the corner on this thing.
Reminder for prayers for Ms.RightWing and Possumtrot as they are both going to the dr. today.
fading......fingers....gettin....t i r e d....
aarrrrrrghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
MargeinMI:
But I was considered a discipline case!
(My temper has vastly improved since)
I hope you're feeling better, soonest...
Interesting. I guess it doesn't need a rotor on the tail like a traditional helo, eh? Is that because the props are counter-rotational?
Yes, feel better Marge.
Hawkeye®:
Correct. Counter-rotating rotor system...like any other tandem rotor aircraft.
Congrats. It's something to be proud of.
Hawkeye®:
It's quite a machine, yes. But all I do is work on 'em...
SGT USMC 1ea:
Great to hear from you! A number of us have been wondering how you were doing.
Good memory there, about that step, too...
I remember when 'Discovery Wings' Channel was still up, and I was an aspiring pilot (still am :-D) I saw an hour long show about this, and must have watched it 10 times...One heck of a thing.
Josh Fahrni:
My father and brothers all fly airplanes.
I'm just the aircraft mechanic in the family...
Good deal, if they ever give you a noogie...well...engines might fail.
Josh:
I don't work on their planes...but I'm the big brother in my family; nobody gives me "noogies".
Bleh, spoil sport...older brother...I'm one of those...I don't give noogies...I give loving pushes down the stairs.
Just kidding.
Josh:
Tough love, eh? Ouch...
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