Summary Read and Response Draft #3

V-22 Osprey VTOL

A V22-Osprey is an aircraft that is a mix between an airplane and a helicopter. Therefore it is considered a VTOL(Vertical Take-off and Landing)as it uses a tiltrotor propulsion engine system that combines helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft capabilities. Based on McCormick's work on VTOL technologies (McCormick, 1967, Pg 347-366), the propulsion system functions follow the tiltwing concept as it uses two large tiltrotors mounted on the wings which consist of multiple engines to takeoff (McCormick, 1967, Pg 347-366). 

As mentioned by the related article (Zhou, Zhao & Liu, 2019), the tiltrotor has rotational capabilities that allow the VTOL to perform vertical takeoff/land like a helicopter. It can also perform a conventional forward flight like an airplane. However, an unfavorable comparison to the harrier, also a VTOL but of a different concept, that uses a turbofan engine is that the aircraft is affected by dead weight from the Osprey Tilting apparatus (Zhou et al., 2019).

Based on the book written by Markman and Holder, (Markman & Holder, 2000, Pg 184) the way the tiltrotor works during the takeoff/landing phase, the rotors will generate lift when doing a vertical takeoff while during a forward flight, they will act as propellers which helps generate high lift and keeps the fuselage horizontal. This hybrid functionality allows the Osprey to switch between hover and high-speed cruise, thus making it versatile for military operations such as transport, search and rescue, and aerial refueling. With many advantages and functionality such as its versatility to take part in a variety of military operations and its efficiency due to its fly-by-wire system over the Harrier, the V-22 Osprey is a major upgrade over the Harrier and was the main reason for achieving success in military operations that it took part in.

A key factor of the V-22 Osprey is its versatility to take part in almost any military mission such as combat, combat support, aerial refueling, medical evacuation, cargo transport, and much more as reported by the website Global Security (Pike, 2016). The website (Pike, 2016) also stated that besides its diverse operational capabilities, it can also be stationed almost anywhere during standby before an operation as it is able to take off/deploy in unsuitable conditions such as adverse weather, lighting conditions, climate conditions and unfavorable mid-combat situations such as chemical, biological and radiological warfare conditions. Thus, when compared to the harrier's operational capabilities, the V-22 osprey is able to be diversely used by the military.

Another feature of the V-22 Osprey is its fly-by-wire controls. Based on the descriptions given by Boeing, the main purpose of its fly-by-wire controls is to allow for less input from the pilot, thus reducing the pilot's workload (22 Fast Facts on the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, 2023).  Pike (Pike, 2016) explains that the control systems are fully digitalized and electronic-based making the V-22 flight control system have the flexibility and ease of usage to use both fixed wing controlled(Plane mode) and rotary wing control(Helicopter Mode) which helps smoothly transition the V-22 between its two modes.

However, some of the downsides of the V22-Osprey is the cost of manufacture, testing and maintenance. According to reports  (Bolkhom, 2004), the V-22 cost $105 million USD to develop and produce when compared to the British Aerospace Harrier II $1.7 million USD. There are also numerous sources on the internet that show the V-22 Osprey crashing whilst testing the Tiwi Island Osprey Crash being such one incident. (Bolkhom, 2004) reported that it caused Congress to consider it to be unaffordable to mass produce and can only use it sparingly in operations.

To conclude, the enhanced features of the V-22 Osprey VTOL will help the military in combat-focused missions like the Harrier VTOL jet. However, unlike the harrier, it can also help with non-combat missions that the harrier cannot partake in. The V-22 also helps its pilots by reducing their workload thus making the pilot more alert and less fatigued, increasing their combat operational duration. With these key features, the V-22 Osprey will pave the way for more diverse vehicles in the military.

References

Bolkhom, C. (2004, April 23). CRS Report for Congress. DTIC. October 8, 2023, from https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA435618.pdf

Markman, S., & Holder, B. (2000). Straight Up: A History of Vertical Flight. Schiffer Publishing, Limited.

McCormick, B. W. (1967). Aerodynamics of V/STOL Flight (B. W. McCormick, Ed.). Academic Press.

Pike, J. (2016, June 15). V-22 Osprey. GlobalSecurity.org.  October 8, 2023, from https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/v-22.htm

Pike, J. (2016, June 15). V-22 Osprey. GlobalSecurity.org. October 8, 2023, from https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/v-22-flt-cntrl.htm

Yaoming, Z., Haoran, Z., & Yaolong, L. (2019). An evaluative review of the VTOL technologies for unmanned and manned aerial vehicles. ScienceDirect. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S014036641930996X#sec2

22 Fast Facts on the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey. (2023, June 20). Boeing. October 8, 2023, from https://www.boeing.com/features/2023/06/22-fast-facts-on-the-bell-boeing-v-22-osprey.page