USAF May Use V-22 Osprey for SAR

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File:CV-22 Osprey flies over the Emerald Coast.JPG

A CV-22 Osprey aircraft from the 8th Special Operations Squadron flies over the Emerald Coast outside Hurlburt Field, Fla., on Jan. 31, 2009. While over the water, the crew practiced using a hoist, which is used to rescue stranded personnel. DOD photo by Senior Airman Julianne Showalter, U.S. Air Force. (Released)

DefenseNews reports members of Congress are questioning an Air Force proposal to use the V-22 Osprey tiltrotar in addition to the HH-60 for Combat Search and Rescue.

Opponents site the very strong downwash from the aircraft and higher cost.

Proponents site the V-22s higher speed and range.

It appears politics may also be at work here, surprise, surprise.

1 thought on “USAF May Use V-22 Osprey for SAR”

  1. The Air Force has decided to buy new H-60s for this mission.

    http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140626/DEFREG02/306260032/USAF-Awards-Sikorsky-Lockheed-CSAR-Helicopter-Contract

    “The US Air Force awarded Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin a $1.3 billion contract Thursday for the Combat Rescue Helicopter program.

    “The deal for 112 Sikorsky Black Hawks, outfitted with Lockheed mission equipment, brings to a close a more than decade-long Air Force quest to purchase a replacement for its HH-60G combat search-and-rescue helicopters. The Sikorsky-Lockheed team was the only bidder in the competition.

    “The contract could be worth as much as $7.9 billion, the Air Force said in a statement. The contract awarded Thursday includes funding for the first four aircraft.”

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