I was surprised to read this report. I seriously believe the V-22 Osprey will be the last military grade tilt-rotor we see. Although developments out of the baseline V-22 and upgrades related to it are likely over the coming years, I just don’t see how the market could support another extremely expensive and incredibly complex tilt-rotor design. The concept has clear limitations, although things like prop-rotor diameter and wing size could be improved with an aircraft more focused on non-maritime missions with increased self-deployability being essential. Still, the V-22 took decades upon decades to develop and the unit cost of a single airframe is still more than a Boeing 737 or Super Hornet, even after multi-year buys have been executed in attempts to tamp down on its high price-tag. 
The new, although it is not really new, technology on the block seems to be the “pusher prop” helicopter hybrids. Sikorsky is all over this technology with multiple demonstration vehicles under their belt and Eurocopter has made a big splash with their twin prop experimental design based on the Dolphin lineage of airframes (oh the puns!). With all this in mind where does that lead the tiltrotor?
I have always believed that the V-22 offers a niche capability, although it was optimistically procured in non-niche numbers. For certain missions like search and rescue and special operations the aircraft really does make sense, for many other missions it is a complex and expensive luxury and they could be just as well served by airframes a third the cost or even less. One thing is for sure, it seems like the ultimate showdown between highly disparate visions for combat aviation’s rotory wing future is on the horizon in the form of US Army’s Joint Multi-Role/Future Vertical Lift (JMR/FVL) program, the decision of which may change the course of aviation as we know.
In the end Bell seems to be tied to their controversial and finicky, while at the same time monumental, design. One that by its very nature is full of sacrificial compromises. Then again who can blame them though right? Getting the Osprey out to the fleet took Bell, Boeing and the USMC on a trail of tears, a developmental process that was one of the most long, volatile, politically damning, and deadly in history. Will the DoD and Congress really be up for an Osprey 2.0 especially in this economic climate? I guess you never know, the idiots in Washington seem to have very, very short memories when it comes to “lessons learned.” Still, who can really blame Bell for sticking with their dark horse candidate? An aircraft that they hung their hopes and dreams on for so long. Isn’t it human nature to not give up on something you fought so hard for, even if that thing’s time and general relevancy had come and gone? Blind optimism aside, it is not a good sign when your industry partner in the tilt-rotor pipe-dream, Boeing, jumps ship and joins your competition!
well if they bought the V-22…
not that there will be much budget in the near future (if any) for any of this
AugustaWestland seems onto something though with the AW189, and they surpised me with their secret Project Zero, it looks amazing
I think there’s a serious civilian/military market for fast VTOL aircraft at a reasonable price
for logistics and recon however UAVs are the new standard, and as I keep repeating, tailsitters are the way to go, as you cut out the complex (and thus expensive and problem-prone) tilt and counter-rotation systems. all you need is a single good rotor system and you get a VTOL plane
Or…perhaps Bell thinks they have solved the issues and are pressing forward.
Are the props on the Europter’s winglettes shut down for landing?…or are the passengers and crew at risk if a speedy exit is required? Might make a good gunship. But a pusher configuration seems more practical for troop and cargo delivery.
While I was back in college I was very lucky to hear a very good talk by the guy that crashed the first Osprey. The more I’ve learned about the MV-22 over the years, the more firm my opinion has gotten that so many of it’s problems would have been non-existent if it didn’t have to land on an LHD and fold up like a piece of origami. I think a version intended for land operations for the Air Force and Army could be done much cheaper with more capability….
I have been keeping my Eye on JMR as best I can. It seems too me That The best Track for JMR is Sikorsky boeing as they seem the most ready. Yes Eurocopter has It’s X3, However In order too counter Torque one of the props must always be in operation. Basically Eurocopter Mounted the tail rotor on the right side of the air frame and then mounted a second prop to the left side.
Compound Choppers/ Tiltrotors are the new In thing.
Sikorsky/Boeing (Raider/ JMR-M)
Bell (609/JMR)
Eurocopter ( X3)
Agusta (AW609)
AVX ( concepts only including the Flying Humvee)
Us and European Makers are not the only ones looking at new Compounds The Russians Have two concepts none in flight. The MIL-X1 and The KA 92. The mil seems the less realisitic as it looks too have no way of countering Torque Well the Kamov resurrects there Coaxial rotor work and mates it too a coaxial pusher. both are sized roughly too lift the same as a osprey.
Bell is kinda stuck, Like most Helicopter makers It’s top products are all based on modifications to designs established in the 1970′s. It’s only breaks from that have been the V22 and the now AW609. So when the US Army cooked up the JMR project and set it’s minimum above the fastest of there conventional product line Bell had to find a way too compete. there Tilt rotor Option is there only real bet for them.
the Props on the X3 and the Rotors on a Tilt rotor make me wounder about passenger safety dismounting form he side and weapon carry possibly inhibiting operations as a scout ( JMR-L), Medium lifter/ Attacker (JMR-M) once you get too JMR H it seems fine as there would be little need to mount external weapons or dismount form the side.
Sikorsky/Boeing seems the best bet to me for the light and Medium. Raider and the Medium lifter have clear sides.
I don’t think we have seen the last of the military tilt rotors. I think That the Quad rotor is the best bet for the Larger class of JMR’s Heavy and Ultra. Heavy as the Army intends would replace the Chinook Which would demand a craft larger then the Osprey (Which has a cargo bay identical in size to the Ch 46). and likely demanding a Aircraft with a cargo capacity out sizing the CH47.
After that the Army is looking at the Ultra size Which seems to be the army trying too hedge it’s bets against the Air Force’s JHL. And there at least were a few conceptual tilt rotors in that class from the Karem/Lockmart and Boeing
Photos of the first Scan Eagle brought down in Iran circa 2006:
http://imgur.com/a/zyWVP
I can provide details of Iranian claims about how it was captured.