Draft #3

The V-22 Osprey VTOL (Vertical Take-off and Landing) propulsion system is one of the important features of the V-22 Osprey aircraft (Weiss, 2023). The groundbreaking construction fuses helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft features to offer incredible flexibility. According to the Hush Kit website (2020), the propulsion system's two powerful engines, are powered by a combination of 6150 horsepower, one on each wingtip and the other running 38-foot diameter three-bladed propellers.

As mentioned by the related research (Zhou, Zhao & Liu, 2019), the Osprey VTOL's rotors at the end of its wings, which are adapted to both vertical and horizontal orientations, can be adjusted. When in vertical mode, it's capable of getting airborne, landing, and hovering like a helicopter according to Leishman (2006). Whereas the Harrier turbofan engines are known as VTOL because of their weight penalty which leads them to be designed for vertical lift (Zhou et al., 2019).

According to Markman (2000), the rotors of the Osprey are shifted upwards, which makes them capable of lifting as a helicopter rotor blade when taking off or landing vertically. The Osprey tilts its rotors during the forward flight, directing thrust so that it generates a high lift and keeps the plane's frame vertical.

Based on the work of (McCormick, 1967) on this mode transition, it operates similarly to a standard fixed-wing aircraft and can travel faster and farther. The Osprey is an excellent choice for missions such as troop transportation, cargo delivery, search and rescue, or specific operations because it has the adaptability to operate in two flight modes simultaneously: Horizontal and Vertical. Some advantages, which can reach a top speed of 275 knots and travel without refueling at a distance of 370 kilometers, are available with the V-22 Osprey. Its impressive specifications enable its rapid arrival to remote locations and fast response from the military (Weiss, 2023). Compared to the Harrier Turbofan engine, the propulsion system of the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor allows it to cover a wider range of distances and adaptability to carry heavier loads.

One key factor of the V-22 Ospreys are perfect for combining operations because one of the most important factors is its ability to travel great distances, land at vertical altitudes, and take flight horizontally reported in the article by (Weiss, 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 allows the Osprey to move from helicopter-like hovering to the speed and efficiency of a fixed aircraft. In addition, they allow aircraft to fly in virtually all environments, which includes ships and rough or restricted landing areas (Weiss, 2023). This will make it possible to eliminate the use of airports, which is useful for smaller locations and on ships. Thus, the US military has used V-22 Osprey more than any other in comparison with Harrier's capabilities.

Another key factor is its ability to carry heavier cargo while performing vertical takeoffs, such as the transfer of troops, equipment, and supplies, which is also a key factor in V-22 Osprey. 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” (Airforce Technology, 2021). The V-22 Osprey is capable of transporting a variety of cargo to its destination since it has a larger capacity than most helicopters and a longer range according to Will (2020).

Nevertheless, costs and maintenance are a few drawbacks of the V-22 Osprey. The cost of the V-22 Osprey is estimated at 118 million dollars according to Jenny (2023). According to Arturo's (2023) report, V-22 Osprey aircraft are complex and technologically advanced airplanes that cost a lot of money to buy and maintain. Harrier VTOL costs $1.7 million less than V-22 Osprey when compared to the Harrier.

Finally, the Osprey is an ideal candidate for a broad range of missions including combat support and specific operations around the globe due to its adaptability and extended V-22 range capabilities. The V-22 also helps its pilots by reducing their workload thus making the pilot to be more alert and less fatigued, increasing their combat operational duration. Conversely, Harriers can only participate in battle operations and may not take part in any other sort of operation.

Reference List:

[1] An evaluative review of the VTOL technologies for unmanned and manned aerial vehicles (Yaoming Zhou, Haoran Zhao & Yaolong Liu, 2019)