Helicopter-Plane Osprey Faring Well in Iraq

[Mike W]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/aviation/n...ectid=10538610

8:58AM Tuesday Oct 21, 2008

Bradley S Klapper

The US military's latest toy, the V-22 Osprey, is performing well despite criticism.

ASAD AIR BASE - After a troubled history, the V-22 Osprey - half-helicopter, half-plane - has been ferrying troops and equipment across Iraq for just over a year without a major incident.

Critics say the Osprey, which was designed to replace transport helicopters, lacks firepower for defence in heavy combat.

But pilots say the Osprey makes up for that in speed, which one of them says can take the plane "like a bat out of hell" to altitudes safe from small-arms fire.

Continues