Air Transportation: March 11, 2003

Archives

The troubled V-22 Osprey aircraft program is in trouble again, as the test aircraft were grounded for two weeks so that hydraulic problems could be fixed. Engineers and mechanics who have worked on, or with, the V-22 report that the aircraft is simply too complicated for military, and perhaps even commercial, use. The V-22s cost $90 million each and are to replace aging heavy helicopters used by the marines. The aircraft can carry 24 combat troops 350 kilometers about twice as fast as a helicopter. Thus special operations troops are also interested. But durability and reliability are critical characteristics for combat aircraft and the V-22 may prove to be lacking in this department.

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contribute. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   contribute   Close