The X2 is intended to prove technologies that will allow helicopters to cruise 100 kts faster at around 250 kts. “Helicopters have been stuck (by rotor aerodynamics) at around 160 kts and this really breaks out of the mold,” explained Steve Estill, vp of worldwide sales. “This is a real game-changer – it will go faster and further at the same time.”
X2 – cruise at 250 kts
Osprey – cruise at 214 kts, 275 kts max speed
the Osprey’s whole raison d’être is speed, there is simply no other justifcation it’s huge expense, colossal delays, immense complexity, weak self protection, dubious safety record and lack of autorotation
if you can ‘cheaply’ make a helicopter that can cruise faster than an osprey you basically kill this whole boondogle
and the sooner the better
“It will probably take ten to 12 years,” he said.
we waited so long to get the Osprey, this almost seems like no time at all.
I propose they halt Osprey production immediately and ‘make do’ with the fleet they have. There are only a certain number of missions where the Osprey actually provides an important advantage so we can use them as ‘magic bullets’ like the B-2 fleet until such time a more reasonable solution arrives.
Sign In
February 27, 2008 at 2:02 am