More Testing On Osprey Is Urged

[GEORGE CURTIS]

Navy Secretary Cautions Against Speeding The V-22 Into Service


Navy Secretary Gordon England says he has enough confidence in the V-22 Osprey to fly in one but is wary of rushing the tilt-rotor Marine Corps troop transport into service. Returning to the Navy's top job after serving eight months as deputy secretary of homeland security, England said that accelerating the Osprey program would be unwise given its checkered past, which includes political controversy and two fatal crashes.

Dallas Morning News, October 3, 2003

[Leatherneck]

Last Wednesday morning my boss and I were briefing Duncan Hunter, the Chairman of the HASC. Actually, we were listening to the Congressman rant about the poor ability of the V-22 to autorotate, when in pops The Honorable SecNav. Mr. England gave a very impressive speech, right off the cuff, with the theme: "This is a work in progress, and we're only about a third of the way through flight testing. We'll get back to you after OPEVAL sometime in 2005." I think he's a supporter of the airplane if it proves itself, and no more.

TC