Question V-22 Osprey and enemy fire

I have been curious for some time about the Osprey and similar aircraft that seem to be increasing in popularity.

I understand the attractions of the additional speed but every time I see pictures or video of one in flight (never seen one in the flesh), especially during the transition from horizontal to vertical flight, I can’t help think that the rotors and engines are an enormous target for anyone on the ground with hostile intent.

I am aware that the videos may be staged to demonstrate the capabilities and that in real life they may transition more quickly and perhaps not be as vulnerable as I think.

Am I correct in understanding that if a conventional helicopter sustained damage to its main rotor/engine/gearbox then the motion of the helicopter will be substantially downward (depending on forward speed at the time) but upright with the possibility of auto-rotation depending on altitude.

The Osprey on the other hand, with its huge rotor discs and engines seem relatively easy to hit and any damage to a rotor/propeller/engine would result in a rolling moment which I imagine is uncontrollable especially at low altitude approaching a landing zone, resulting in a crash from which you would probably not walk away.

Are the Ospreys rotors more robust than I think?

What would it take to cause significant damage, a rifle, a Browning M2? Is the chance of hitting a rotating blade so low that it is not really a relevant concern?

Is this something that could be practiced in a simulator?

Are my concerns misplaced or overstated, I would appreciate the opinion of some of our experts with direct knowledge.
 

oldsig127

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
I'm not qualified to answer, and not brave enough to speculate without actual knowledge (I'm not a journalist or politician), but I do have a suggestion. You will be a lot more likely to get an answer by posting in the Aviation forum than the "Suggestions and Feedback" forum

oldsig
 

stevenyeadon

New Member
Google is your friend.

This shoot-down proves that MANPADS are still a threat even in a mature theatre of operations. They are an even greater threat in a country where the Marine Corps is making a forcible amphibious entry where we have little intelligence. This IR threat does not include the myriad of AAA weapons and RPGs that are easy for militaries, armed groups and terrorists around the world to acquire. The V-22 is far less susceptible to these weapons en route due to its ability to fly faster, higher and quieter than conventional helicopters but, while ingressing or egressing the landing zone those advantages quickly melt away. This is the time when the V-22 is most vulnerable and needs a defensive weapon, IRCM and an escort.


I found it by searching for "v 22 osprey manpad aaa vulnerable"
 
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This is my concern. A commonly stated advantage of the aircraft is it's speed point to point.
What use is that advantage if during the transition to landing it presents such a huge, slow and vulnerable target to anyone with a heavy weapon and everyone dies.
Apologies, I don't want to push a barrow about this
 

Todjaeger

Potstirrer
This is my concern. A commonly stated advantage of the aircraft is it's speed point to point.
What use is that advantage if during the transition to landing it presents such a huge, slow and vulnerable target to anyone with a heavy weapon and everyone dies.
Apologies, I don't want to push a barrow about this
It really is not much different for traditional fixed-wing aviation either. A properly sited MANPAD positioned to launch at aircraft either coming in for a landing, or taking off are just going to be targeting aircraft with limited options in terms of speed and heading.

Tactics can be used to try and minimize the risks (suppressing fire, overwatch, ECM/flares, etc.) The only sure guarantee to prevent a shoot down would be for the flight to never come within range of hostile air defences. Given how portable MANPADS are though...
 

ngatimozart

Super Moderator
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
This is my concern. A commonly stated advantage of the aircraft is it's speed point to point.
What use is that advantage if during the transition to landing it presents such a huge, slow and vulnerable target to anyone with a heavy weapon and everyone dies.
Apologies, I don't want to push a barrow about this
As Todjaeger says it's something that's not unique to the Osprey. We have a saying in the navy, if you can't take a joke you shouldn't have joined, and as callous as that sounds Jolly Jack does have a way of putting things into context. You can't reduce all risks so you mitigate as many you can. It's a risk that you have to face in combat. You pays your money you takes your chances. Nothing's guaranteed in war.
 

Cadredave

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
This is my concern. A commonly stated advantage of the aircraft is it's speed point to point.
What use is that advantage if during the transition to landing it presents such a huge, slow and vulnerable target to anyone with a heavy weapon and everyone dies.
Apologies, I don't want to push a barrow about this
It is noting unique to the Osprey, all military helicopters are vulnerable on infil & exfil as shown by the shootdown of helo's in Afghanistan & Iraq and further back to Vietnam or Korea. Alot of planning goes into each mission to mitigate as many issues as possible however you cannot plan against all possible outcomes you do what you can with the intelligence at your disposal. Aircraft have conducted missions and returned back to base full of holes looking more like a cheese grater and others have been downed by a single bullet (golden bb) it's a risk that has been there ever since helo's became the preferred options for moving troops & equipment in a war zone and now with the introduction of the Osprey.
 
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