Video regardng the V-22 and two variations that Bell has already done the initial leg work on that could be used and be critical:
This is a video of two 1/72 MV-22 derivatives models that are very important regarding the introduction of the F-35B 5th generation stealth aircraft to som many large flat deck vessels of the US and its allies. The Osprey is now being used by the US Air Force, the US Marines, and the US Navy chose for its Carrier on Board (COD) aircraft, and by several US allies.
This video is about two additional critical applications for the US Navy and it allies.
The first is the SV-22 for Anti-submarine Warfare. I show this aircraft first. The greatest historical threat to US aircraft carriers (during World War II and since) has been submarines. The US Navy has established zones of engagement for submarines around its major ships.
The SV-22 in this video is carrying four large torpedoes, packed with the latest sonar buoys, and the latest electronics for tracking and confusing and perhaps causing a mission kill to a submarine electronically, or to its weapons
Let me explain the different threat zones.
CLOSE IN THREATS: Threats within 1-3 miles of the carrier where the sub either is preparing to launch, or already has. Typically a US combatant or capitol ship has several ways to address such a threat. You have close in weaponry or electronics that can engage. The aim is to either severely disable or destroy the sub or its weapon, or at least to cause it to lose its lock and go off track and miss. Manuevering the ship is another possibility.
MID RANGE THREATS: A second zone extending from 3-30 miles. This area is covered by weapons which are either launched from the vessel or carried aloft by an aircraft. For the US this usually means, from the carrier or the escorts a MH-60R Sea Hwak helicopter to find the enemy and then engage it. Another aircraft for this is land launched and is the new P-8A Poseidon which is rapidly replacing the older P-3C Orions and if close by can also engage.
LONG RANGE THREATS: Finally there is the longer range area which extends well out from the carrier up to 300 miles or more. The US Navy historically built aircraft which the carrier carried to perform this function. The ultimate aircraft developed was the S-3A Viking, which carried a large array of electronics equipment to find submarines and then shadow them in peace time or prosecute them in war with its own weapons. Sadly...and in this writers opinion...unbelievably, the S-3s were pulled out of service when only half of their life span (which could be extended) were used and now many of them are sitting in the SW US desert aging away. The explanation was that the cold war was over and so we could "save money" by eliminating these aircraft, ten of which were carried on each carrier.
Luckily, the Osprey is available to fill the 3rd role. The proposed SV-22 Osprey could be launched from carriers, LHA, LHD, LPD, and more with the range for the long range area and loiter while searching for and engaging enemies.
Let's understand a little more about carriers. There are three very broad categories that over many years have taken on three names. If you want to read details about each, read the following from my site, "Aircraft Carriers of the World" at
FIrst are CATOBAR carriers (which the US Super carriers are) and range in size to over 100,000 tons and can carry up tp 90 aircraft. 2nd is the STOBAR Carriers (which the Russian, the first two Chinese, and other carrers are). They are tyically 40,000 to 70,000 tons and can carry up to 50 aircraft. 3rd are VSTOL carriers that nations like Japan, Italy, Spain, South Korea and others have. They range from 20,000 to almost 45,000 tons. The US has the LHA and LHD vessels that fit into this role. These carriers carry anywhere from 12 to 30 aircraft.
All of the STOBAR and VSTOL vessels should have a small squadron of 4 of the SV-22 aircraft. The CATOBAR should have larger squadrons of 8-10 aircraft to cover the long range ASW duties.
Now let talk about the second proposed EV-22 AEW aircraft.
Looking at it makes it clear what it is with the large radar on top.
This (and its electroncs and design) gives it its AEW function. The US CATOBAR carriers are already covered in this area by the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. It is a heavy aircraft and requires a catapult to launch. The latest version flies further, sees further, and can discrimination better with its new and more powerful radars as to how well it can discriminate targets. In this way they can spot any attack/strike/bomber and have them intercepted. This ability can not be overstated. It is the most important aircraft on the carrier.
US enemies greatly respect this capability.
But what about the LHA, LHD, LPD, and smaller carriers of our allies who do not have catapults? The proposed EV-22 AEW can be solution.
The EV-22 is a pressurized version of the MV-22, with a electronically controlled and very powerful electronic aperture radar which would provide 360 degrees of coverage.
Being able to fly at 35,000+ feet, the aircraft could see and discriminate threats to the capitol ships right down to the wave tops.
Right now these vessels depend on a helicopter carrying a limited radar.. At 15,000 to 20,000 feet they may see up to 250 miles. But this is not far enough to see bombers and strike aircraft before they launch their missiles.
An EV-22 you see attacking aircraft from 600 or more miles away, and have them intercepted and destroyed before they launch their missiles.
The threat cannot be overstated, and the solution cannot be set aside. I urge anyone reading this to study up on it, understand it and then do three things.
1) Contact any friend you know in your navy from Lt. Commander up to Admiral to help champion this cause.
2) Urge you national reps (House and Senate in the US) to prepare legislation for this and realize that the cost is well spent when defending so many more billions for ships, air wing, and personnel.
3) Contact you friends, families, and neighbors and have them do one and two above.
We have Russia rattling sabers and they have strong capabilities. Even more, we have Communist China building a phenomenal Navy phenomenally fast. I have been watching and analyzing them for well over fifteen years (See:
) They are not doing these things and spending so much money just for the heck of it.
Soon China will have 3, on the way to six large, powerful carrier groups. Nations in the region are worried.
Japan (with its Izumo class) and Korea (with its Dokdo class) have already announced their intention to put F-35Bs on these carriers...and they are being approved. Australia is talking about the same with their two Canberra vessels, and India would like to get F-35Bs for its three carriers. This type of international cooperation is necessary to give pause to the Chinese.
I love model building...but I also love to consider what these systems mean. I spent forty years working for defense contractors and the US government in positions where I dealt with defense issues and projects.
From the US Navy A-7 Corsair II and S-3A, to the Lockheed THAADS (Theater High Altitude AIr Defense System), to the NSSN project which became the Virginia Class submarine, to the MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) I worked on US systems.
I have seen proposed systems mauled by young, uninformed individuals appointed by equally uninformed, "progressive" politicians to turn promising systems into paper weights. Luckily it is not too late for several of them.
For example, we need the CGX cruiser with 144 cells, one large bore Rail gun, two small bore rail guns for CIWS and two powerful enough Laser Systems for CIWS. We have te technology and can have them on numerous vessels within five years if we set our mind to it.
Finally, while I'm talking about such things...get all of the UNREP ships back into the "real" US Navy (instead of the merchant marine Military Sea-lift Command) and defend them with the same close in weapons we gave the carriers...like we used to. They keep our people fed, keep our aircraft fueled, and keep our non-nuclear ships fueled. We CANNOT afford to send them out as we do now, defenseless. Right now, killing several unarmed UNREP ships can mission kill entire Carrier Strike Groups.