Marine Corps Showing Love — And Money — for the V-22 Osprey
By Sandra I. Erwin
Already one of the busiest aircraft in the military fleet, the V-22 Osprey soon could be taking on more and increasingly sophisticated missions.
Marine Corps leaders never miss a chance to praise the V-22 hybrid vertical-lift turboprop for its technological and operational exploits, pointing to its status as the most in-demand aircraft in military operations today. Officials are enthused by the potential of the tiltrotor aircraft to do more, and are putting forth plans to invest in big-ticket upgrades, including sensors and weapons that would turn the Osprey into a highly destructive gunship, and refueling kits so it can serve as an aerial tanker. They also will seek to buy more of the $72 million apiece aircraft, beyond the 360 approved by the Defense Department.
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