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MV-22 Osprey
V-22 Osprey
The V-22 Osprey is a
joint service, multi-mission aircraft with
vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability.
It is designed to perform VTOL missions like
a conventional helicopter while also having
the long-range cruise abilities of a twin
turboprop aircraft.
The Osprey is the world's
first production tiltrotor aircraft with a
38 ft (12 m) rotor, engine, and transmission
nacelle mounted on each wing tip. It typically
operates as a helicopter with its nacelles
vertical (rotors horizontal) for takeoff and
landing. Once airborne, the nacelles rotate
forward 90 degrees in as little as 12 seconds
for horizontal flight, converting the V-22
to a high-speed, fuel-efficient turboprop
airplane. STOL, rolling-takeoff and landing
capability is achieved by having the nacelles
tilted forward up to 45 degrees. For compact
storage aboard a ship, the wing rotates (about
the z-axis), and the proprotors fold in a
sequence that takes between 90 and 120 seconds.
The Osprey was developed
and is built jointly by Bell Helicopter Textron,
who manufacture and integrate the wing, nacelles,
rotors, drive system, tail surfaces, and aft
ramp, as well as integrating the Rolls-Royce
engines; and Boeing Helicopters, who manufacture
and integrate the fuselage, cockpit, avionics,
and flight controls.
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