V-22 Osprey Pitched for Canadian SAR

Uniquely suited to the task, I don't know why it wasn't considered before.

I don't know why I never thought of it...

It does look cool in Canadian colours

Cool maybe, but expensive. Probably why no one thought of it...

Given that we have to shoehorn Griffons into the SAR role because the Cormorants can't cut it, something able to do what the Osprey can has certain appeal.

However I'm sure it lacks the endurance and speed of other fixed wing options.

Well, we did buy the basic verson of the EH101. The RAF and others use the GTI version of the 101 for SAR and they do a great job.

The sticker prices is higher, but if it will replace other Fixed-wing AND helicopters in SAR service (or the reduce use of them) the numbers *could* make sense.

But it's not clear what the military wants, except for the constant allegations that the program has been rigged toward the C-27J. There is also a Griffon replacement program in development and that project could have implications for SAR and rotary wing program requirements in the CF.

Now that the bugs have been worked out, this may do the trick. They had lots of problems with these early on. I have flown in them, they are pretty tight.

Isn't the Osprey too large, in terms of wingspan, to be used on our frigates? Yeah it'd be great for land-based operations but we always seem to want ship-based capabilities as well so that's probably why no one's seriously considered it for purchase thus far.

Who knows, maybe this will be the time to have helos for seperate land-based and ship-based operations. Although, at $67 million USD per unit, it's pretty pricy.

Well we currently do not have any SAR aircraft landing on our Frigates as the Cormorants are not used in that role (I believe this capability was dropped from the original EH101 spec). The Sea King flies SAR missions near the areas where they are based, but I understnad that this is only done when the aircraft happend to be available and generally this is usually done within the broader context of the Maritime helicopter role (ie often, their response is a diversion from other maritime patrol duties underway) but they are not primariloy front-line SAR aircraft.

The primary target for this aircraft would presumably be the Fixed-wing SAR missions being flown by Buffalo and Herc, but maybe a V-22 would also take over for the Cormorrant in some missions as well.

Pricey and the range isn't as good as dedicated fixed wing. Would make for an option to augment helicopters though.

We should just build our own Large Hardon Collider. Then we can make Wormholes! One moment a Fishing Boat will be sinking off NL, the next moment it will be in a farmers field outside Moosejaw!

It seems like it could be used for a lot of thing, I'm not sure what the cost is though.

It won't perform fixed wing tasks like a fixed wing aircraft, nor perform like a helicopter for certain tasks that happens with all devices like that from Swiss army knives to eyeglasses to Osprey aircraft but it can do a lot of things.

The question is can it do enough of these things and be cost effective.