The Osprey is a tiltrotor aircraft with a 38-foot rotor
system and engine/transmission nacelle mounted on
each wing tip. It can operate as a helicopter when taking
off and landing vertically. Once airborne, the nacelles
rotate 90 degrees for horizontal flight, converting the
V-22 to a high-speed, fuel-efficient turboprop airplane.
The wing rotates for compact storage aboard ship. The
first flight occurred in March 1989. The V-22 is the
world’s first production tiltrotor aircraft. Planned
purchases include 360 for the Marine Corps, 48 for the
Navy, and 50 for the Air Force.
TH-57 Sea Ranger
The TH-57 Sea Ranger is a derivative of the
commercial Bell Jet Ranger 206. Although primarily
used for training, these aircraft are also used for photo,
chase, and utility missions. The Jet Ranger was initially
designed to compete in a U.S. Army light observation
helicopter competition. Bell lost that competition; but,
the 206 was commercially successful. The TH-57 Sea
Ranger provides advanced (IFR) training to several
hundred aviation students a year at Naval Air Station
Whiting Field in Milton, Florida.
8-42
Student Notes:
Figure 8-59.—MH-53E Sea Dragon.
