Helicopters Bell/Boing MV-22 Osprey:
V-22 OSPREY MEDIUM LIFT, MULTI-MISSION TILT-ROTOR AIRCRAFT, USA. The V-22 Osprey is a joint-service, medium-lift, multi-mission tilt-rotor aircraft developed by Boeing and Bell Helicopters. Boeing is responsible for the fuselage, landing gear, avionics, electrical and hydraulic systems, performance and flying qualities. Bell Helicopter Textron is responsible for the wing and nacelle, propulsion, rotor, empennage (complete tail system), ramp, overwing fairing and the dynamics. The aircraft operates as a helicopter when taking off and landing vertically. The nacelles rotate 90° forward once airborne, converting the aircraft into a turboprop aircraft. The aircraft can provide VTOL with a payload of 24 troops, or 6,000lbs of cargo at 430 nautical miles combat range, or VTOL with a payload of 8,300lbs of cargo for a range of 220 nautical miles. The helicopter is self-deployable world wide with a ferry range over 2,100 nautical miles. Normal operating range is up to 1100 nautical miles. The tiltrotor aircraft is available in three configurations: the Combat Assault and Assault Support MV-22 for the US Marine Corps and the US Army; the long-range Special Operations CV-22 for US Special Operations Command (US SOCOM); and the US Navy HV-22, for search and rescue, special warfare and fleet logistic support. The first of four low-rate initial production (LRIP) MV-22 models completed Operation/Evaluation in August 2000. Following an aircrash in December 2000, a number of upgrades have been implemented including redesign of hydraulics and wiring in the nacelles and improved flight control software. A two-year flight test program began in May 2002 to be followed by a second OP/EVAL phase. A further 11 LRIP aircraft (nine MV-22 and two CV-22) were ordered in May 2003. Initial Operating capability is planned for 2005. USAF CV-22 resumed flight testing in September 2002. 360 MV-22 (to replace CH-46 Sea Knight) and 50 CV-22 (to replace MH-53J Pave Low helicopters) are required.
DESIGN-The V-22 is fully shipboard compatible with the world's first complete blade fold and wing stowage system. It is able to operate off all US Navy L-class amphibious ships, the LHA/LHD assault carriers and can be stowed on full size CV/CVN carriers. For stowage the wings are rotated to lie above and parallel to the fuselage to create a compact rectangular volume. The automatic wing and rotor folding sequence, which can be completed in 90 seconds in a 60-knot wind, is as follows, the aircraft lands in helicopter mode, the two outboard blades of each rotor are folded inboard, the nacelles are rotated forward to cruise mode and the wings are rotated by 90° clockwise. COCKPIT-The flight crew have a Pilot's Night Vision System and a Honeywell integrated helmet display. The cockpit is equipped with six night vision goggle-compatible displays. The Standby Altitude Indicator and the Standby Flight Display are supplied by Smiths Industries. The cabin and the cockpit are NBC (nuclear, biological and chemical warfare) protected with a positive pressure filtered air system. GUN-he aircraft will be equipped with a 12.7mm turreted gun system, which will be supplied by General Dynamics. EORS-he US Air Force and US Navy variants are equipped with a Raytheon AN/APQ-186 terrain following multi-mode radar. The helicopter night vision system is Raytheon AN/AAQ-16 (V-22) FLIR which is mounted on the nose. This system contains a 3-5 micron indium antimonide staring focal plane array. OUNTERMEASURES-he aircraft's electronic warfare suite includes Lockheed Martin's AN/AAR-47 missile warning system which consists of four electro-optic sensors with photomultipliers, a signal processing unit and a cockpit display. The aircraft is also equipped with a radar and infrared threat warning system and chaff-and-flare dispensers with 60 rounds of dispensables. The CV-22 will have the Suite of Integrated Radio Frequency Measures (SIRFC), being developed by ITT Avionics. ENGINES-he aircraft is powered by two Rolls RoyceT406-AD-400 turboshaft engines rated at 4,400kW maximum continuous power. The engines are fitted with full authority digital electronic control (FADEC) supplied by Lucas Aerospace, backup analogue electronic control system, and fire protection system from Systron Donner. A transmission interconnect shaft provides single engine operation. The thermal signature of the aircraft is minimised with an AiResearch infrared emission suppression unit, installed on the nacelles near the engine exhaust.The entire rotor, transmission and engine nacelles tilt through 90° in forward rotation and are directed forwards for forward flight, and through 7° 30' in aft rotation for VTOL.