Super Aircraft

It’s a plane. It’s a helicopter. And judging by the cheers from Pentagon brass and members of Congress, it could be something of a Superman of military aircraft. Looking oddly old-fashioned as a fixed-wing plane, with tow oversized propellers, the Marines’ MV-22 Osprey transforms itself into the helicopter of the future. Basically, the Osprey converts from a helicopter into a speedy fixed-wing plane in 20 seconds, offering new capabilities for troop deployment, drug interdiction and search and rescue, including hostage rescue. The aircraft, jointly produced by Bell Helicopter Textron and Boeing, can achieve speeds over 400 mph and an altitude of 25, 000 feet. It is designed to carry up to 24 troops or external loads of 15,000 pounds. It can fly 2,000 miles and land on a dime.