CV-22 'Osprey' and the Impact on Air Force Combat Search and Rescue

摘要

Tiltrotor technology successfully combines the best attributes of a helicopter with those of an airplane. These unique characteristics are resident in the first production, tiltrotor aircraft, the V-22. The Osprey will dramatically expand the capabilities of the US Military. The US Marine Corps in purchasing the MV-22 will greatly enhance its operational and tactical maneuver capabilities. With the CV-22, US Special Operations Command will add new and much needed capability to extract SOF personnel and American citizens from behind enemy lines. The CV-22 can also be useful to the Air Force in performing Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR). This paper explores this area and answers the following question: How will the CV-22's unique qualities advance the state of the art of Air Force CSAR. Conducting the CSAR mission with the CV-22 will eradicate current mission deficiencies and enhance execution through advances in Combat Search and Rescue Task Force and command and control doctrine. In addition to evolving current doctrine to enhance CSAR, the CV-22 will lead to new CSAR capabilities and doctrine. Finally, the CV-22 will enhance two Air Force core competencies: global attack and rapid global mobility. I gathered information for this paper from many sources including Bell and Boeing Helicopters, SAF/AQQU, ACC/DR, HQ AFSOC, 418th Flight Test Squadron and recent studies. Additionally, my experiences and knowledge gained as a developmental test pilot on the V-22 program was a basis of much of the data.