Osprey tested in air, at sea

(EXCERPT), by Otto Kreisher COPLEY NEWS SERVICE

2:59 p.m. December 8, 2003

WASHINGTON – The Marine Corps' V-22 Osprey has flown 1,000
accident-free hours since test flights were resumed 18 months ago and
has proven its ability to function safely in potentially deadly rapid
descent conditions, the government's top test pilot said.

The controversial tilt-rotor aircraft also has demonstrated that it
can operate safely on amphibious assault ships with other rotary wing
aircraft, Marine Lt. Col. Kevin Gross said.

But a former Pentagon test and evaluation expert questioned Monday
whether the Marines had completed all the planned tests to prove that
the Osprey can maneuver aggressively while losing altitude quickly, a
condition that caused one of the three fatal accidents that have
plagued the V-22 program.

Phillip Coyle, former director of the Operational Test and Evaluation
Office, also expressed...

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Otis Willie
Associate Librarian
The American War Library
http://www.americanwarlibrary.com