The biggies in the MSM only write about the tilt-rotor when it crashes, sort of like the way they usually cover the war–casualties only. But the maligned Osprey is operational now with the Marines–who have two tilt-rotor squadrons, VMM-162 and VMM-263–while Air Force special operations, which recently received the first of thirty, is still testing and developing operational tactics, according to one of the littlesies, the Pensacola News Journal
UPDATE I am reminded that University of Texas engineering professor Hans Mark, who had a hand in the early development of this thing, used to tout it as a reliever of highway congestion. It would pick up airline passengers at a stop near their homes and whisk them to the airport. It’s a lot faster in airplane configuration than a helicopter. Mark also had something to do with the new Airborne Laser, which has yet to see operational service. I also posted about it here. I don’t recall any civilian apllication.
THE TEXAS SCRIBBLER 