Comments on: Osprey on the Way

By: GJB

GJB — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 12:22:51 +0000

“BUT no one can deny that these birds do not lift enough! The can’t lift the vehicles a H-46 can.“
Posted by: Lee Wahler at September 21, 2007 01:51 PM
“The MV-22 cannot carry sling loads, so what? Anything that does not fit within the Osprey, the Marines don’t want anyway. The Hummer is just too big, even before they started loading it up with armor due to experiences in Iraq.“
Posted by: Rupturduck at September 25, 2007 11:01 PM
One of the secondary benefits of Osprey threads is that so many people get exposed for being ignorant. Suggest you two view the following photos and then return here and correct your errors.
http://www.navair.navy.mil/v22/index.cfm?fuseaction=gallery.viewPhoto&id=25
http://www.navair.navy.mil/v22/index.cfm?fuseaction=gallery.viewPhoto&id=22

By: GregDaBunny

GregDaBunny — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:39:50 +0000

Not really sny more vulnerable than a Chinook or CH-53. Keep some Cobras close to the LZ.

By: Macaca

Macaca — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 09:48:45 +0000

I’d like to nominate the Thunder Chickens for the best new unit name of the last year(s). Very appropriate, very army-style and also PR worthy.

By: Charles A. Ruth

Charles A. Ruth — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 19:02:39 +0000

I’m not sure this technology is what is needed on todays battlefields. I agree that the Osprey is “way” too expensive. Bring back the A-10 with proven record instead of testing old stuff or prove me wrong! God Bless America

By: Lee Wahler

Lee Wahler — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 18:51:53 +0000

Ok I’ll buy that the Marines have to work out the kinks in shipboard operation so the Ospreys needed to be lifted by a amphib vice get them there quicker.
I don’t think that the Ospreys are any more or less vunerable then any other transport helo to anti-aircraft missiles or something less. Maybe just maybe the two separate engines and composite structure will help that.
BUT no one can deny that these birds do not lift enough! The can’t lift the vehicles a H-46 can. The Marines are even designing a new jeep and mortar just for the Osprey! Maybe if its only mission was deep troop insertion that would be ok but that is not all the Osprey will be expected to do. As to hovering over a moving flight deck, I think there is a lot to be learned and maybe some more unfortunate losses in the process. Marines better keep them high and over land?!

By: KMR

KMR — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 12:48:06 +0000

This plane has a long and deadly history. I hope that the Marines using these aircraft in Iraq have a safe deployment and a successful mission and come home better for their experience. There is a new aircraft under development that will do everything the V-22 will do much safer and much faster. When a military version is developed we will be able to do anything we need, anywhere and American air superiority will keep us at the top.

By: Bigg Poppa P

Bigg Poppa P — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 12:08:06 +0000

Have a safe trip and shoot’em up…

By: Max

Max — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 05:44:58 +0000

Excuse me, unless there has been a name change in the last 10 years, a “Silkworm” missile is an ANTISHIP missile, and couldn’t hit a helicopter or an Osprey unless it just happened to be flying in the way of a Silkworm being fired at a ship.
As for the “Anti-American”, don’t make us laugh. You and I both know that Russian military gear can’t hold a candle to American weaponry. Of course, the most important factor is the superior quality of our soldiers/Airmen/Sailors and Marines. The Russians spend too much time boozing it up on Vodka and beating each other up with Hazing to be much use to anyone.

By: Thomas

Thomas — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 02:25:07 +0000

I am very afraid of the osprey being vulnerable to silk worm missle attacks.If the enemy could shoot one of those planes down they would claim a significant victory. I used to read Proceedings Magazine and in there were a number of Marine corps casualties due to the fact that the technical kinks were not taken out of the Osprey. There may be a place for the Osprey but i am not so sure that it should be in Iraq/Afghanistan. Don’t get me wrong i am all for our military winning but they need superior equipment that works everytime without failure.

By: Old Marine

Old Marine — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 23:50:31 +0000

In all probability, they flew out to the Wasp which was off shore. The other alternatives are not very effective or efficient. Now, they have an operational squadron which could fulfill almost any contingency while on their way to their operating area (strategic flexibility). Expensive, yes, but you can also say that of all of our present day aircraft compared to the Wright Flyer. Big bucks gives you greater tactical AND strategic flexibility and effectiveness. Expect a casualty, and the resultant howling from folks that don’t understand what WAR and operational progress is all about.