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Comment by elif | Hacker News Reader

Not a substantial enough speed increase to powerfully deter air defenses.

I guess the idea is that you ground transport it past air defenses and accomplish objectives?

The linked page from DARPA says:

    > Achieve cruise at speeds exceeding 400 knots

Google tells me that a Boeing 737 flies (cruises) at 430–470 knots. Also, the A-10 Warthog only cruises at 300 knows.

You wrote:

    > Not a substantial enough speed increase to powerfully deter air defenses.

For modern air defenses like the Russian S-400 Triumf, pretty much all of their missiles can easily outrun (or catch!) any modern fighter jet. In your view, what speed would be "substantial enough"?

For 1000lb of payload

https://www.twz.com/air/new-hypersonic-strike-recon-aircraft...

The role of the Osprey has, as I understand, been to transport troops into an area after it has been bombed to shit. In such a situation you've already destroyed the air defenses (or you're fighting guerillas who are relying on portable anti-air weapons)

1000 lbs is not a lot of troops

I can't imagine what other role a VTOL would eventually play. It's too fragile for CAS, too slow for air supremacy, not enough payload for bombing, and recon is better served by drones or satellites. The only reason to have an expensive, heavy plane take off and land in a warzone would seem to be moving people in and out.

More likely the primary purpose is production and support contracts.

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