now selecting V-22's?

[MrTorso]

what about a turret under the belly like on some of the bombers from WWII? Just a thought to throw out. Might effect how it would land but it would give some protection into the LZ. Also Cobra escorts would have to foward stage and timing would have to be exquisite because of the range and speed disparity.

 

[Fly Navy]

Hmm, how about a chin gun? Maybe helmet controlled too, like the Apaches. Then again, that could distract the crew during a landing.

 

[phrogdriver]

Generally, 10K and below is considered where the MANPAD envelope is. Remember that you also have a pretty high speed chaff/flare system as well.

The chin gun has been put aside for now due to center-of-gravity issues. It is actually much harder to put a gun on than it sounds, so the ramp gun is probably the answer for now. Look for the long-term solution to be a next-generation weapon from the Air Force. They're working on technology about 20 levels more advanced than a .50 cal.

 

[zab1001]

Generally, 10K and below is considered where the MANPAD envelope is. Remember that you also have a pretty high speed chaff/flare system as well.

...for the new guys, thats 10K AGL, make sure you take into account them mountains...

are they using a new chaff n' flare system or is it the ol' bug eyes and buckets that seem to be standard for all naval aircraft?

 

[go4the8]

I was told today by one of the Capt's at the Blue Angels' airshow that two SNA's selected the Osprey out of Corpus last week. Can anyone shed any light on the pipeline? The rumor is abbreviated syllabus at both South Whiting and Corpus in 57's and 44's? Any info would be appreciated.

I won't select until around March, so I'm wondering if this may be an option by then?

-Matt

Just to get back on track with the thread, I selected Jan. 6 and put Osprey as my #1 choice, #2 jets, and #3 C-130's. I got C-130's cause they aren't putting out anymore Osprey slots until March. That's straight from my Ops O here in Corpus. The Osprey syllabus puts the Marines in VT-35 flying TC-12s for a few months and then off to Whiting to fly helos. I know a couple of the Marines who selected Ospreys, both were in my company in TBS. So to answer your question, it is an option, but the number of slots available, if and when they show up in March, is uncertain.

 

[pltReed]

Are there any slots for enlisted aircrew on the Osprey, or is it all Officer?
Anyone know the anthro's required for TC-12's?

 

[phrogdriver]

There are crewchief and aerial observer billets. Unfortunately, most junior enlisted have only minimal input as to what aircraft they'll end up crewing.

 

[usmcnole]

Personally I think the V-22 is an incredible bird. A good friend of mine from TBS was the developmental test crew chief for the V-22 program up in PAX River for over 4 years. He's been in a few near crashes, and he still thinks it's one of the better planes we've got. I would not only love the fly the Osprey, but plan on putting that and Helos at the top of my selection list come April, May, or whenever the hell I select.

Hell, the pace they got me on right now I may select next month (haha....kidding of course).

 

[Broadsword2004]

Well, I may have read this in a past thread at this site, so don't flame me if someone already said it a long time ago, but I read that when the Hueys were first coming into service, there was some type of flaw where if you maneuvered the helicopter a certain way, the main rotor would detach. They lost a lot of pilots through that until they picked up on the problem.

I also read the Apache attack helicopter was a crappy flyer because of something screwy with it, which they fixed, and also the Blackhawk helicopter, now one of the finest helos out there, was a true "Crashhawk" at first due to some mechanical glitches they had to fix.

From what I have read on the Osprey, it seems cool enough to me. And the media always hates new aircraft. Back when the F-15 was coming out, some went as far as saying that it was a pointless aircraft that would be no match for the competition's jet aircraft out there. And the Apache was highly critized too, until Desert Storm.

 

[46Driver]

Well, I may have read this in a past thread at this site, so don't flame me if someone already said it a long time ago, but I read that when the Hueys were first coming into service, there was some type of flaw where if you maneuvered the helicopter a certain way, the main rotor would detach. They lost a lot of pilots through that until they picked up on the problem.

That is what is known as "Mast-Bumping", a particular flaw of helicopters with "underslung" 2 bladed rotor systems (think JetRanger, Huey, Cobra). When the rotor system is unloaded and experiences negative G's, the rotor system will contact the mast and break apart from it - not good.

 

[Grant]

A friend of mine, his dad is a test pilot for tiltrotor aircraft at Textron's Arlington, TX facility. He's been flying Ospreys for over 15 years, and he's still alive... the "death trap" reputation is way overblown.

 

[ArkhamAsylum]

For all new aircraft, history will be the toughest and truest critic.

Speaking of new aircraft, anyone read up on the new Marine One aircraft? Sounds like Sikorsky's a bit pissed off. Then again, I think the President deserves to have a custom vehicle.

--------------------------

TBS, A/05

 

[mpdonnelly]

The AV-8 and the F-14 were originally thought to be unsafe but have proven themselves ably in combat time and again. The same could be said of the B-29, or the B-26 Marauder. Jimmy Doolittle had to fly around USAAC airbases in the the B-26 on one engine to demonstrate the safe flying characteristics of the plane. Someday tiltrotor technology will be commonplace and we won't think twice about seeing one fly overhead.