Osprey in a cauldron

June 29, 2009 · Posted in Blogroll, Uncategorized

So a US congressman calls for production of the V-22 Osprey to be terminated immediately.

USMC generals at a congress hearing about the tiltrotor aircraft are overheard describing said hearing as “ a waste of time”, and some actually agree with them though not in the spirit intended.

Reports are out that the aircraft underperformed in its employment in combat theaters so far.

Issues have already risen about problems with its hot exhaust gases on ship decks.

While some cannot even agree on just how many aircraft were produced and delivered.

So, what’s the deal with the wonder-copter? Victim of unrealistic expectations or mismanaged program?

Tags: V-22

Comments

6 Responses to “Osprey in a cauldron”

Tukey on June 29th, 2009 4:01 am

Let me be a bit cynical and tongue-in-cheek. Congressmen cannot tell the difference between an F-22 and a V-22.
Bundy on June 29th, 2009 3:57 pm

Here’s a link to the actual GAO report

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09692t.pdf

There’s a little smoke D but no fire.
Dimitris on June 30th, 2009 1:11 am

Thanks Mike, good read.

So what do you think is actually happening? Old scores being settled? Turf / pork-barrel war? Something else?
Bundy on July 1st, 2009 5:50 pm

Check 6 Aviation Weekly’s podcast had a great segment on this past week or so which you can find via Itunes.

The main beefs with the V22 seem to be part quality/availability; low max altitude; maneuver limits that increase vulnerablity and various metrics of load capacities. Pretty legitimate gripes but nothing in the realm of failed design. Fact one of the hosts pointed out that some of this was similar criticism leveled at the B-1 and B-17 designs early on and we know they evolved successfully.
SlamEagleF15K on July 5th, 2009 7:36 am

Too late to be turned around,and already countries like UK and Israel are waiting for the deal to turn hot.Would it be a part of wild imagination to think the parties bringing up the issues are linked to some classic endevours to please some military-industry complex owners? 🙂
SlamEagleF15K on July 5th, 2009 7:54 am

Tukey)Couldn`t agree more.At least better than the so called “peace groups” I ran into on my way home holding signs and protesting in front of our Government complex written “No-Go for US Long Range Nuclear Ballistic Missile systems!!Cancel porcurement of uncontrolled illegal Weapon Systems! Patriot missiles OUT” 😛