CV-22 Osprey (Unusual Aircraft Collection)

The V-22 Osprey is easily the most revolutionary rotorcraft in service today, able to takeoff and land vertically like a helicopter, then transition to forward flight like a regular fixed-wing aircraft.   The CV-22 seen here is the Air Force version of the Osprey, which has aerial refuelling equipment and more radar capability than the Marine Corps' MV-22.

Compared to the Vietnam-era Chinook and Sea Knight helicopters it's intended to replace, the Osprey can fly twice as far with twice the load and at twice the speed.   It's also much quieter than a traditional helicopter, which is a significant advantage in a combat situation.

The Osprey has had a long and chequered development history, with a number of fatal crashes, but its capabilities will almost certainly make it a major asset to the military.   However there are definitely downwash problems when hovering during search and rescue missions and it's also difficult to fit it with defensive guns, making it less able to defend itself against groundfire - though its speed makes this less of an issue, anyway.