thedrifter
10-10-06, 07:12 AM
MV-22: Ospreys Catching Bird ‘Flu Up There.
AUSA, Washington DC. Big problem for the V-22 is turning out to be avian related, and while Marines getting it ready to take to Iraq next year are watching warily, industry is being asked to come up with ideas. The problem is the number of bird strikes aircraft working up with the combat squadron at New River, NC are experiencing. The birds are bashing parts of the fuselage, denting wing leading edges and the root cause may be the critters can’t hear the mechanical Ospreys coming. Sources say the rotor speed is dialed back in cruise to the point that feathered denizens of the sky are unaware their airspace is being interfered with. Or something else with the aerodynamics is going on. In any event it’s a serious problem – an MV-22 can easily cruise around 250 knots, and at that speed even an oblivious sparrow can become a deadly weapon. The only people to do tests are the Air Force who fire frozen chickens at F-16s at about the same closing speed. Industry watchers with a good idea need to contact Bell Boeing or the Marines who themselves are trying out various things, including colored lights. – David S. Harvey.
Ellie
AUSA, Washington DC. Big problem for the V-22 is turning out to be avian related, and while Marines getting it ready to take to Iraq next year are watching warily, industry is being asked to come up with ideas. The problem is the number of bird strikes aircraft working up with the combat squadron at New River, NC are experiencing. The birds are bashing parts of the fuselage, denting wing leading edges and the root cause may be the critters can’t hear the mechanical Ospreys coming. Sources say the rotor speed is dialed back in cruise to the point that feathered denizens of the sky are unaware their airspace is being interfered with. Or something else with the aerodynamics is going on. In any event it’s a serious problem – an MV-22 can easily cruise around 250 knots, and at that speed even an oblivious sparrow can become a deadly weapon. The only people to do tests are the Air Force who fire frozen chickens at F-16s at about the same closing speed. Industry watchers with a good idea need to contact Bell Boeing or the Marines who themselves are trying out various things, including colored lights. – David S. Harvey.
Ellie