Monday, June 6, 2011

What are the practical considerations of the V-22 Osprey for Australian service?

(Gates on his final tour steps off an Osprey-DOD photo)

Certainly Defence has enough large-dollar, high-risk procurement decisions on the plate but I am curious about the following; the Osprey.

What are it's good points / bad points for Australian service? I am a critic of the program, however I can see its uses. Would this be a useful aircraft for operations in the Pacific Rim?

It has range, VTOL, air-to-air refueling ability and some speed. Could the Army better perform certain missions with the support of this aircraft?

H/T-War News Updates (photo)