V-22’s “Cloud Stall” Not a Stall At All

(click to view full) POGO (the Project On Government Oversight) aren’t anti-military; there are some weapons programs they like and have defended, and they’ve been willing to change their minds based on favorable reviews from the troops. The V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft isn’t high on their list of favorable evaluations, however. POGO believes the aircraft has numerous important operational deficiencies, has sucked up enormous amounts of development dollars that could have been better spent on other projects, and offers a cost/airlift ratio that is far inferior to available helicopter options, and with less than advertised performance gains in critical zones. They’re certainly not alone in that regard; the V-22’s list of critics is a long one. Recently, POGO reported that a V-22 experienced a double engine stall while flying through a cloud, and claimed that de-icing has been neglected during the Osprey’s tests. DID originally reported the incident based on POGO’s reports and a Reuters article. We’ve had an ongoing email exchange with the V-22 Program Office over the last few days, however, asking questions and receiving answers. NAVAIR makes a good case that POGO got its facts wrong this time, and DID presents their responses below… To see POGO’s […]