After what seems like an eternity, the V-22 osprey is finally deployed:

Controversial Tilt-Rotor Aircraft Deploys to Iraq

According to the article: “Made by Boeing and Bell Helicopter, the Osprey is the most radical new aircraft to enter service for many years. Its tilt-rotor design combines the vertical takeoff and hover ability of a helicopter with the speed and range of a conventional aircraft.”

How the V-22 Osprey Works Talks about the advantages of the Osprey:

The major advantages of the Osprey over a helicopter are:

- Longer range – The Osprey can fly from 270 to 580 miles (453 to 933 km).
- Higher speed – The Osprey’s top speed is 315 mph (507 kph), which is twice as fast as a helicopter’s top speed.
- Increased cargo capacity – The Osprey can carry 10,000 pounds (4,536 kg) of cargo or 24 troops.

The advantage of the Osprey over an airplane is that it can take off, hover and land like a helicopter. This makes is more versatile than an airplane for such missions as moving troops to remote areas, especially those without landing strips, or conducting long-range rescue operations at sea.

Here’s a quick clip of an Osprey taking off from the middle of the Air Force Academy – it can basically land anywhere:

Here you can see it folding up for storage (say on an aircraft carrier) or transport:

The Osprey being an Osprey:

For more info see: How the V-22 Osprey Works