Ospreys Successful in Iraq , so far

I haven't flown in one, but Christian over at Defensetech.org has a post of his experience in one.

http://www.defensetech.org/archives/003962.html

yeah Christian was one of the first to really advocate just how awesome these things are performing.

Credit to the Marines for killing the doubt on this magnificent piece of hardware.

So question: does the next gen aircraft involve Harrier-style jet turbines that rotate vertical?

And if so, could we apply that tech to say... a C-17?

Never ridden in one, but I'm game. I would like to say that, back in the Old Corps, when VMM-263 was HMM-263, they formed the base squadron of the ACE on my first float, with 24th MEU SOC, in 1993. That was the greatest MEU SOC that ever floated, under the command of (then) Col Matthew E. Broderick. I'm glad to see the Thunder Chickens are carrying the flag again to ev'ry clime and place.

Also, let us in our exuberance not forget that the Osprey comes with a heavy price tag. Many Marines, unfortunately, gave their lives in its development. Among them was Maj Brooks Gruber, VMI '87.

Being a former Air Force aircraft mech. it looks like a maintence nightmare. I hope it works out well because I can see the advantages over both fixed wing and rotor.
But then again where the hell are the bomb racks!lol

Is a special operations version planned? Maybe a Spectre gunship varient someday?

Is the unit really called the Thunder Chickens, or is that a nickname?

I haven't gotten a ride yet, but I did spend 2 hours waiting for them to go away so they would stop flying through the range SDZ while departing the landing zone. Had 3/23's Gunner a bit pissed. There have been some issues that crept out of using these guys for Aeroscout, most of them tactical issues vice technical ones. I think a MEU deployment would be a better test of their capabilities. Especially if the Marine Corps wants to hang on to this idea of "sea basing", which from my POV was a dismal failure when we tried it with 26 MEU(SOC) in 2005.

Yes. An Air Force SPECOPS squadron is currently training at Kirkland AFB.

John, I haven't heard any plans for "Harrier-style jet turbines that rotate vertical" in a next generation Osprey-style aircraft. I know the army has been toying with the idea of a C-130 sized helicopter or tilt-rotor that can carry 20-30 tons. Most of the concept drawings I've seen for it feature 2-to-4 Osprey style rotors.

The big problem with using jet turbines that rotate into a vertical position would be the same issue the Harrier has, controllability/stability in hover. I'm not a military pilot, but everything I've read suggests the Harrier is a very demanding aircraft to fly when hovering. On a fighter-sized aircraft, it's manageable. On a big transport aircraft, it might be another story. Again, I'm no expert. Flight control computers have come a long way since the Harrier was designed, so who knows.

Thank you very much!

Great post! Hope to be better. Better means more features.
good post,I think so!

Thank you for the sensible critique. Me & my neighbour were preparing to do some research about that. We got a good book on that matter from our local library and most books where not as influensive as your information. I am very glad to see such information which I was searching for a long time.This made very glad Smile