thedrifter
07-10-05, 04:34 PM
Osprey aircraft may get OK
Report: Testers say MV-22 that can take off and land like a helicopter suitable for military use.
July 10, 2005: 5:20 PM EDT
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Navy testers have recommended declaring the Marine Corps' once-troubled MV-22 Osprey aircraft operationally suitable and effective for military use, an important step for the $46 billion program, Inside the Navy, a trade publication, reported Sunday.
Textron Inc. (Research)'s Bell Helicopter unit and Boeing Co. (Research) are co-developing the Osprey, a hybrid aircraft that can take off and land like a helicopter which still must be found operationally suitable by Defense Department testers before it can enter full production, possibly next year.
In November 2000, naval testers similarly declared the aircraft suitable and effective despite a fatal Osprey crash in April of that year.
A second crash occurred in December 2000, bringing the total of marines killed in fight tests to 23 and leading to a rigorous new evaluation program after a 17-month grounding.
The Navy had no immediate comment on the report. The Osprey uses swiveling wingtip rotors to take off and land like a helicopter but fly like an airplane, giving it greater speed and range than a conventional helicopter. The Marine Corps wants to buy 360 to replace its aging CH-46 troop transports.
Inside the Navy cited government sources familiar with a summary report from the Navy's operational testing command sent to defense officials June 30. But the sources cited the report as saying some glitches remained involving certain radios, passenger seat restraints and electronic combat gear.
Ellie
Report: Testers say MV-22 that can take off and land like a helicopter suitable for military use.
July 10, 2005: 5:20 PM EDT
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Navy testers have recommended declaring the Marine Corps' once-troubled MV-22 Osprey aircraft operationally suitable and effective for military use, an important step for the $46 billion program, Inside the Navy, a trade publication, reported Sunday.
Textron Inc. (Research)'s Bell Helicopter unit and Boeing Co. (Research) are co-developing the Osprey, a hybrid aircraft that can take off and land like a helicopter which still must be found operationally suitable by Defense Department testers before it can enter full production, possibly next year.
In November 2000, naval testers similarly declared the aircraft suitable and effective despite a fatal Osprey crash in April of that year.
A second crash occurred in December 2000, bringing the total of marines killed in fight tests to 23 and leading to a rigorous new evaluation program after a 17-month grounding.
The Navy had no immediate comment on the report. The Osprey uses swiveling wingtip rotors to take off and land like a helicopter but fly like an airplane, giving it greater speed and range than a conventional helicopter. The Marine Corps wants to buy 360 to replace its aging CH-46 troop transports.
Inside the Navy cited government sources familiar with a summary report from the Navy's operational testing command sent to defense officials June 30. But the sources cited the report as saying some glitches remained involving certain radios, passenger seat restraints and electronic combat gear.
Ellie