V-22 Osprey Summary Reader Response Draft 2

Thesis Statement:

The propulsion system of the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor can accommodate a wider range of functions compared to the Harrier’s turbofan engine.

Support 1:

The V-22 Osprey is more suitable for missions, tasks or special operations as it can travel long range, hover, land and take-off vertically and horizontally unlike Harrier.

Support 2:

The V-22 Osprey can carry heavier payloads while performing vertical landings, such as transporting troops, equipment and supplies.

Counterargument:

The cost and maintenance are the disadvantages of the aircraft.

Conclusion:

V-22 Osprey can participate and both combat and non-combat missions while Harriers only can participate in combat operations.

The V-22 Osprey VTOL (Vertical Take-off and Landing) propulsion system is one of the important features of the V-22 Osprey aircraft (Arturo., 2023). The ground-breaking construction blends features of helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft to provide a remarkable versatility. Derived from (Hush Kit, 2020), the propulsion system features two powerful engines with a combined 6150 horsepower, one on each wing tip, each powering a 38-foot-diameter three-bladed propeller.

As mentioned by the related research (Zhou, Zhao & Liu, 2019), the Osprey VTOL has rotors at the tip of its wings that are changeable between vertical and horizontal positions. Based on the explanation (Leishman., 2006), it can take-off, land and hover like a helicopter while in vertical mode. In contrast to Harrier turbofan engines also known as a VTOL, due to the weight penalty that results the engine to be designed for vertical lift (Zhou et al., 2019).

According to (Markman & Holder W.G, 2000, Straight Up: A History of Vertical Flight. Schiffer Military/Aviation History) during take-off or landing vertically, the Osprey’s rotors are shifted upward allowing them to produce lift like helicopter’s rotor blades. While during a forward flight, the Osprey tilts its rotors and redirect thrust to propel forward which produces high lift and keeps the aircraft body horizontal.

Based on the work of (McCormick, 1967) on this mode transition, it operates similarly like a standard fixed-wing aircraft and can travel faster and farther. The ability to change between vertical and horizontal flight modes makes the Osprey an ideal choice for missions including troop transport, cargo delivery, search and rescue, and special operations.

One key factor of the V-22 Osprey’s ability to fly great distances, land vertically, and take-off horizontally makes it more ideal for combined operations reported in the article by (Arturo, 2023). The website also states that it is made for long-range, high-speed operations, and has vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) and short take-off and landing (STOL) capabilities. This design enables the Osprey to transit from helicopter-like hovering to speed and efficiency of a fixed aircraft. Additionally, it enables the aircraft to fly in practically any environment, including ships and difficult or confined landing zones (Arturo, 2023). This eliminates the use of runways and makes it suitable for small locations and on ships. Therefore, in comparison to the capabilities of the Harrier, the military employed the V-22 Osprey to a greater extent.

Another key factor is the V-22 Osprey is its adaptability to carry heavier payloads while performing vertical take-off, such as transporting troops, equipment and supplies. It states that with a payload of 24 troops, 6000 pounds of freight at 430 millimeters of combat range, or 8300 pounds of cargo at a range of 200 miles, the aircraft can do vertical takeoff and landing from (Airforce Technology, 2021). Since it has a larger capacity than most helicopters and a longer range, the V-22 Osprey can transport a variety of payloads to their destinations (Will, 2020).

However, some disadvantages of the V-22 Osprey are the cost and maintenance. According to the article from (Jenny, 2023), the cost of the V-22 Osprey is $118 million. From the article (Arturo, 2023), the V-22 Osprey is a complex and technologically advanced aircraft that costs a lot to purchase and maintain. As compared to Harrier, the cost of Harrier VTOL is US $1.7 million, cheaper than V-22 Osprey.

In conclusion, the V-22 Osprey’s adaptability and long-range capabilities make it ideal for a wide range of missions, including combat support and special operations worldwide. In contrast, Harriers can only participate in combat operations and not in non-combat operations.

Reference List:

[1] An evaluative review of the VTOL technologies for unmanned and manned aerial vehicles (Yaoming Zhou, Haoran Zhao & Yaolong Liu, 2019) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S014036641930996X#b35

[2] Jenny. C (2023, 10 September). Top 10 most expensive military planes manufactured in America. https://financesonline.com/top-10-most-expensive-military-planes-manufactured-in-america/

[3] McCormick B.W.

Aerodynamics of V/STOL Flight

Courier Corporation, New York (1967), pp. 347-366

https://books.google.com.sg/books?hl=en&lr=&id=jakW25BxfSkC&oi=fnd&pg=PA1&ots=gm8q7txkvB&sig=t_JVF9XxQ8bdn-hDTG2CcNSKXPY&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false

[4] Arturo. W (2023, 05 July) The Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey

https://simpleflying.com/bell-boeing-v-22-osprey-complete-guide/

[5] Markman S., Holder W.G.

Straight Up: A History of Vertical Flight. Schiffer Military/Aviation History

Schiffer Pub., Atglen, PA (2000)

184 p

[6] Airforce technology (2021, 08 February)