Escorting The Osprey: New Aircraft -- Same Regiment

Abstract

The V-22 Osprey, when flying in the airplane mode of flight, is too fast to be escorted by the AH-1W. Fixed wing escort aircraft cannot provide for close proximity, immediate threat suppression. The V-22, while operating at high airspeeds in the fixed wing mode of flight, is not supportable using present helicopter attached escort tactics. A proximity escort is necessary when the V-22 is operating in the fixed wing mode of flight due to airspeed and range differentials with supporting aircraft. When the V-22 is in approach to landing, or operating in the conversion mode of flight, an attached, direct fire capable escort is desired. This escort is necessary even with the planned incorporation of a self-defensive weapon system. To use the higher airspeed and range capabilities of the V-22, an attached, armed escort with similar range, speed, and slow or hovering flight capabilities is necessary. Given the lack of such a platform, new tactics need to be developed for the escort of the V-22. Since the V-22 is an assault support aircraft, these escort tactics will drive tactics' development for all potential Medium Lift Missions. A helicopter cannot provide adequate escort for the V-22 when it is operating in the airplane mode of flight. However, the V-22 could be escorted by a detached and preemptive sweep fixed-wing escort on the enroute portions of missions. When a fixed wing escort is not available, only a heavily armed V-22 can provide that capability. The four-bladed AH-1W (4BW) could provide adequate sweep escort for the V-22 for low-level missions of limited range, and it could also provide adequate attached escort from IP to LZ when the V-22 is operating in the helicopter mode of flight. New tactics must be developed that use the entire range of capabilities of the V-22.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1996
Accession Number
ADA529495

Entities

People

  • Keith M. Sweaney

Organizations

  • Marine Corps University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Defense
  • Aircraft Equipment
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Attack Helicopters
  • Defense Systems
  • Detection
  • Fixed Wing Aircraft
  • Military Organizations
  • Navigation
  • Observation Aircraft
  • Rotary Wing Aircraft
  • Short Takeoff Aircraft
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Transport Aircraft
  • Vietnam War
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Military Science