thedrifter
12-20-06, 02:05 PM
Marines hit back at Osprey critics
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- A Washington defense think tank has slammed the U.S. Marines V-22 Osprey, but the Marines say most of the problems have been fixed.
The tilt-rotor aircraft's combat capability and safety were harshly criticized in the report from the Washington-based Center for Defense Information report, entitled "V-22 Osprey: Wonder Weapon or Widow Maker? They warned us. But no one is listening," the Marine Corps Times reported Dec. 11.
"If deployed in combat, the price could be fatalities inflicted not just by enemy fire, but by flaws that were the result of omitted tests and basic design deficiencies pointed out but never addressed," wrote Lee Gaillard. The Marine Corps Times described him as "a former Marine reservist who has published more than 100 articles and book reviews on defense issues and aviation."
A spokesman for the program told the newspaper that most of Gaillard's report was relevant only to earlier versions of the Osprey that were not in active service any more. He also criticized Gaillard for allegedly leaving out what the paper described as "important information about testing and modifications to the aircraft currently flying."
"From all indications, the Corps has no plans to halt its Osprey program, and it is set to be operational next year," the Marine Corps Times said.
"A couple of options, it could go aboard ship with the (Marine expeditionary unit), it could go into Al Assad [Air Base]," Marine Commandant Gen. James Conway told the paper. "It could go elsewhere or not go, but our belief is it's a great airplane. We need to get it into the fight as soon as we can. It's going to give us an enhanced capability well beyond our legacy aircraft, the venerable CH-46."
Ellie
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- A Washington defense think tank has slammed the U.S. Marines V-22 Osprey, but the Marines say most of the problems have been fixed.
The tilt-rotor aircraft's combat capability and safety were harshly criticized in the report from the Washington-based Center for Defense Information report, entitled "V-22 Osprey: Wonder Weapon or Widow Maker? They warned us. But no one is listening," the Marine Corps Times reported Dec. 11.
"If deployed in combat, the price could be fatalities inflicted not just by enemy fire, but by flaws that were the result of omitted tests and basic design deficiencies pointed out but never addressed," wrote Lee Gaillard. The Marine Corps Times described him as "a former Marine reservist who has published more than 100 articles and book reviews on defense issues and aviation."
A spokesman for the program told the newspaper that most of Gaillard's report was relevant only to earlier versions of the Osprey that were not in active service any more. He also criticized Gaillard for allegedly leaving out what the paper described as "important information about testing and modifications to the aircraft currently flying."
"From all indications, the Corps has no plans to halt its Osprey program, and it is set to be operational next year," the Marine Corps Times said.
"A couple of options, it could go aboard ship with the (Marine expeditionary unit), it could go into Al Assad [Air Base]," Marine Commandant Gen. James Conway told the paper. "It could go elsewhere or not go, but our belief is it's a great airplane. We need to get it into the fight as soon as we can. It's going to give us an enhanced capability well beyond our legacy aircraft, the venerable CH-46."
Ellie