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U.S. Coast Guard HV22 Osprey (Dolphin)


ChancerUK

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Background

As with so many projects, the tightening of budgets has put Coast Guard manned tilt rotors pretty low on the priority list. Yet while the Bell 609 has as yet to go into full scale production' the V22 Osprey is a proven and tested system that has earned its spurs in Iraq and Afghanistan. While the smaller 609 will be better suited for operations off Coast Guard cutters, the Osprey offering greater range and payload, would suit shore based operations. Particularly in the search-and-rescue role and disaster response. In light of the Gulf of Mexico disaster, Ospreys could be rapidly configured from oil rig rescue operation to oil dispersant delivery platforms using palletised systems loaded and deployed via the rear ramp. Its greater speed and capacity when compared to the JJ60H Jayhawk would make it more effective for drugs interdiction missions. As it would have the capability to keep up with the light aircraft used by smugglers while being able to deliver an sizeable contingent of DEA agents, to the numerous remote landing strips that dot the Florida coast.

HV22 Dolphin

The nose has a search radar above the cockpit is a weather radar. Low on the port side is optical sensor pod situated for a 360 view. The resue hoist is located beneath upper portion of the aft door. 3 windows have been enlarged while the interior has 2 stretcher stations plus the usual Coast Guard kit. There are few other aerials and electronic fairings. (The name comes from its likeness to a bottle nose dolphin)

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This must be the coolest WHIF I've seen to date - very nice! :thumbsup:

Thanks for the great feed back, but take a look at Deanflyer's merlin engineed Canberra, that is shear What If perfection in my mind, the conversion is seamless.

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