The V-22 Osprey Returns!

As the war in Iraq progresses, the marines have decided to bring a very distinct aircraft out of retirement to assist the troops in battle. Many people in Washington were surprised that the marines brought back the Bell V-22 Osprey, including Vice President Dick Cheney, who has repeatedly tried to cancel the entire Osprey program. This aircraft was designed by military engineers as a way to enhance the helicopter during war, but it has a dark past behind it that has left many experts worried whether this will help or hurt US troops.

The V-22 was developed over 25 years ago when the marines were in demand of airplanes that could vertically takeoff and land aboard small decks of ships. After Vietnam War when the CH-46 went obsolete, commanders needed a new method of amphibious assault. As a result, the Osprey was born with the ability to cruise like an airplane and takeoff and land like a helicopter. Money was a huge issue for the government because the cost of building twin rotors that tilted in midair was ridiculously expensive. High prices also cut the number of Osprey’s sold to the armed forces in half. Now, congress has decided that the Marines, Navy and Air Force will get 458 aircraft, averaging $119 million per copy.

The Osprey came under heavy scrutiny when it began to show major flaws that all together killed 30 marines in the course of its history. Problems began at the V-22’s maiden voyage, where it crashed due to improper wiring. There was also a second crash in 1992 that killed 7 soldiers, but despite its flaws the Osprey continued to fly throughout the Clinton administration. The greatest disaster in the program came in 2000, when two of the aircraft crashed killing 23. The marines then immediately grounded the Osprey project for 18 months because of its inability to land safely during an emergency.

Now many people are questioning why the US government is sending these planes to Iraq. The military is responding to critics who say it has killed to many people by stating that the AV-8 Harrier Jet, which also can vertically land and fly as a fighter plane, also killed over 45 marines. However, in the long run the Harrier was a great success in war and is still used today. The counterargument to this is that the Harrier only carried one pilot who wore a parachute and the Osprey carries 23 passengers that have no parachutes. The V-22 also likes the fighting power of a combat jet, with only one forward mounted machine gun and less maneuverability. In the upcoming months the world will be watching how well these airplanes perform and whether they can lead to success in Iraq.