Option 3: Osprey

This post expands on the last of three airframes that I may receive upon graduation from helicopter training: the CV-22 "Osprey."

The Osprey is brand spankin' new. It replaced the MH-53 "Pave Low" (shown below). The Pave Low is massive - bigger than the Osprey. The picture does not do it justice. Despite its smaller size, the Osprey came online because it flies quieter, farther, and faster than the Pave Low. However, it carries less troops and does not have any means of self protection (i.e. guns!)

The Osprey is not a helicopter; it is actually a tilt-rotor. The two rotating propellors on the outer edges of the wings are called nacelles. They are initially positioned for vertical take off. As the aircraft leaves the ground, the nacelles rotate and the "helicopter" transforms into a propellor-driven airplane. The process reverses itself for landing. In other words, it's kind of like a transformer!

See it in action here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OI3oE422C4Y&feature=related (This is the Marine's version of the Osprey, the MV-22. It still flies the same as the Air Force version).

What would you do as an Osprey pilot?

Currently, the Osprey is used for infiltration & exfiltration. These are fancy names for picking up and dropping off combat troops - usually in hostile environments, behind enemy lines. Many of these troops will be special forces from all service branches.

At less than two years old, some of the first operational CV-22 squadrons are in the process of being deployed. Only time will tell if this aircraft can stand its own ground. It certainly has some big shoes to fill.

Where will you be stationed?

Since the CV-22 is new, the only Air Force location with an operational squadron is Kirtland AFB, New Mexico (near Albuquerque). This will change as more squadrons are stood up at different locations. As these birds begin to deploy, they'll spend most of their time in sandy and/or mountainous environments.