Agreed, but thrust vectoring generally only carries one pilot, two on the trainer. The aircraft your refering to is the X-35 Joint Strike Fighter. I was in Palmdale at the Skunkworks plant with one of the lead engineers on the JSF project, on the day it performeed its first hover test flight. Got to talk with the pilot afterwards over a few brews. He was very impressed with the simplicity of going vertical. Got some good pics of the aircraft while I was there. Here's a good link for the F-35: x-35

Moving large quantites of men and materials in and out of the zone is the mission we need the Osprey for. To date, not one aircraft company has come up with any new prototypes to fill this critical slot for us, with the exception of the Osprey.

Yup, that was it. I notice they've got three versions and the Navy one seems to have a bigger wing area. Are all three capable of VTOL or just the Marine version?

I would think that thrust vectoring could be made to work with a larger payload if it was desired/required.

Re: Osprey I hadn't heard it was in danger of being cancelled and thought that they had worked out the bugs and were going to produce it.

I'm still thinking I wouldn't want to ride one into a hot LZ for the reasons discussed.

The Osprey has been on the chopping block from day one. The Marine Corps are the ones that have kept this prototype flying dispite all the efforts of Congress to derail and cancel the project. The Marines are focused on future battlefield realities, whereas Congress will never be that focused. They are lucky if they can find their seat in order to vote on a daily basis.

And as for the Navy version of F-35, the reason it has a bit larger wing area, increase the range, and provide for more lift area for carrier landings and to allow for larger landing gear to take the beatings associated with landing on a carrier. It even has a tailhook in there somewhere.

The AirForce and Navy varients do not have hover capability. Seems 'they' (squiddly and zoomie pilots) didn't take too well to just sitting in one location while being airborne, all too well. Marine pilots on the other hand take that time to complete crossword puzzles and pick their nose.

showing off?

Hmmmm how would you like to have been sitting in the back during this flight?

Is that the new version of the VOMIT COMET ?

Guys can do things with those Chinooks that are hard to believe. I wonder if the twin rotor congig gives it certain properties?

all I know is.... that is one ballsey pilot!

My hope for the Osprey springs from the fact that so many actual Marines have worked so hard at getting it through the system. If it were the typical gold-plated weapons platform that DoD so often tries to shove down our throats, there wouldn't have been so many Marines attaching their reputations to the project.

We really won't know however until the thing has seen more service. I'd be interested to talk to a couple of corporals in airframes and powerplants who already have experience working on them.

I know from personal experience that some of our past aircraft have been junk but still some pilots and mechanics managed to form an emotional tie to them. So sometimes it matters who you ask.

Military Begins Final Tests On Osprey
Associated Press
March 29, 2005

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. - The U.S. Marine Corps said final tests began Monday on the military's Osprey aircraft, a helicopter-airplane hybrid that has been plagued by deadly crashes and design problems.

The Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft can land and take off like a helicopter and fly like an airplane. Commanders say the Osprey can haul more troops and equipment farther than existing helicopters. It was designed to replace the aging helicopters in the Marine Corps fleet.

The Osprey program has been threatened since 23 Marines died in a pair of crashes during testing in 2000. The manufactures made design changes following an investigation.
The Osprey was also grounded for a few weeks earlier this year because the coating on a part in the gearbox was wearing off faster than expected.

The Marine Corps Web-site says each Osprey costs approximately $40 million.

The Marine Corps' tests scheduled through the end of June will help determine whether the Osprey is ready for full production. The Marine Corps has ordered 360 Ospreys, the Navy 48 and the Air Force 50 for special operations.

Testing conditions will include high altitudes, extreme temperatures and desert conditions.

It is time for the final tests.Let's hope the
Osprey delivers.
God knows the services need a new air frame.