The V-22 Osprey is of a a revolutionary tilt-rotor VSTOL military aircraft developed to combine the positive aspects of a turboprop aircraft and a helicopter. Airframe construction uses the latest composite graphite-reinforced epoxy to provide a light but strong structure with a high level of corrosion resistance and more importantly battle damage tolerance. Lift and propulsion is provided by twin 38 ft diameter 3-bladed "proprotor's" each driven by a specially developed 6150 shp Allison turbo-shaft engine, the twin proprotor's are interconnected by drive-shafts to synchronise their speed and allow flight to continue, albeit at a lower speed in case of engine damage of failure. The Osprey utilises a sophisticated fly-by-wire system which has triple redundancy built in which provides a high level of survivability in a hostile environment The Osprey's design allows for the incorporation of a state of the art electronic warfare suite including a missile warning system and a countermeasure system. The prototype Osprey first flew in 1989, it's Prime Contractors are Boeing Defence, Bell Helicopter and the Allison Engine Company, this clearly reflects the nature of the Osprey which can be thought of as a turboprop
aircraft and helicopter combined with power provided by turbo-shafts. Development of unique Osprey design has resulted in three test aircraft crashing with the loss of 26 men, the last, and worst incident occurring in April 2000. Osprey prototype specifications: Length: 57' 4" Width: 84' 7" Height: 22' 1" Maximum VTOL Take off Weight 47,500 lb Combat Range 200nm Heavy Lift Range with 10,000 lb external load: 50 nm Cruise Airspeed 235 kts Engines: Twin 6150 shp Allison synchronised turbo-shaft engines
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