Larry Grimm

I heartly agree, the Marines using these new aircraft will adapt new techniques.
I believe that in the next five to ten years if we can keep the politicians and naysayers away, the other services are going to wish that they had made this commitment. I know several of the Army pilots who are already dreaming and drooling, to bad they invested in programs that then got canceled so they are stuck in the past. Once again I am proud that the Marines are first. I think we can trust the Marines who have to fly and keep this aircraft maintained. They tell me GOOD things about it. 🙂

Another "widow maker"

My memory (the one I have left) cannot recall any AC that has gone into fleet service that did not get taged "widow maker" at one time or another. Marines are now flying UH1W's with y & z modles ordered and CH46 J's (?) how many f4's and A6's did we see go down? V22's will be lost, goes with the MOS, but in 5 years you'll see vastly improved birds that the engineers didn't envision but fleet Marine airdales created, modified, adapted and overcame. Keep the faith brothers, these kid's today are better educated and trained than we were, they'll get it done.

MV-22 To Be

Nice post, guys. I am soon to be winged out of HT-8, and will be flying the MV-22. I'm glad that you all are supportive, for too long many so called "experts," or should I say, doom-sayers, have been dogging this aircraft with out realizing the capabilities and potential of it. I am, along with my buddies, excited to be flying the Corps next generation in Assault Support. Like some of you have stated, we're sure that years from now the public, polititians, and media will have forgotten the unfortunate past and realize what a great bird she is.

V-22 1st deployment/ Ch-46A deployment

It is about time - everything it true. Every 46 Squadron had their problems and lives were lost. Whoever heard of a perfectly good aircraft! It is the job that we gladly took and knew the risks. Whether it is the 46, the M-16 or the V-22 - Marines will overcome and adapt. The media does not set our standards of operation, We set them before and this new generation of Marines will set their own standards. The training and skills of the flight crews will prevail. Semper Fi.

Hey all, thanks for all your support of the V-22. I was a prior -46 guy, and have been with the Osprey program since early 04. We have made tons of progress to date, and now being on the flight test side of the court, we have plenty of awesome improvements on the way, including:

1. Improved flight control and mission management hardware and software
2. A rapid ground refueling system, which will allow the V-22 to operate as a forward refueling point
3. Aeriel Refueling system, so we can be an air tanker...currently in early development
4. Wireless ICS
5. New blades, which will increase forward airspeed, and increase vertical lift and handling
6. Engine improvements

And I am sure then when we start deploying, more development projects will come down the pipe, and we will do everything we can to make them as good as they can possibly be.

Thanks again!

Two Cents

Number four, wireless ICS, should have been original equipment.

This is not rocket science anymore.

Also noise attenuating headsets have been available to civilians since the last century.

They, too, should be standard issue. Hopefully, they are.

Sorry guys, I cannot share your enthusiasm. As you mentioned, the NATOPS manual for the '46, '53, etal have also been written in blood...The -22 is many more years older than the previously mentioned R/C of the corps, and is just now being put into service!

I pray for all them guys who fly the Osprey...I never prayed for myself when I flew the H-53...even during the worst of times...go figure!

Hooper