MV-22 Osprey

A Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey lifts off a runway here. The MV-22 is a tilt-rotor aircraft. When turned toward the sky, the two wing-mounted rotors on the craft allow for a vertical takeoff like a helicopter. When turned forward, the craft flies as an airplane. Air Force officials plan to purchase as many as 50 CV-22 aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. C. Todd Lopez)

MV-22 Osprey

A Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey lands here April 2 on its way to an air show at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Air Force Special Operations Command is expected to get 50 CV-22s, an Air Force-modified version of the MV-22, starting November 2006. Designed to conduct long-range missions, the tilt-rotor aircraft offers increased speed and range over other rotary-wing aircraft. Two CV-22s are currently at Edwards AFB, Calif., undergoing operational testing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Greg Davis)

MV-22 Osprey

An MV-22 Osprey prepares to launch from the USS Saipan in the Atlantic Ocean. Maintainers from Edwards Air Force, Calif., deployed onboard the Navy ship for recent Osprey sea trials. (U.S. Air Force photo)

UH-72A Lakota

A member of the Falcon Team, the aviation detachment at the Army's Joint Multinational Readiness Center at Hohenfels, Germany, performs a visual inspection of the JMRC's newest aircraft on Ramstein Air Base, April 19. The UH-72A helicopter with the tail number 72100 is the 100th Lakota aircraft delivered to the Army. It will be used at JMRC's Combat Training Center. (Photo Credit: Angelika Lantz, 21st TSC Public Affairs)

UH-72A Lakota

Joint Multinational Readiness Center's Chief Warrant Officer Richard Infusino, a Falcon Team pilot, backs up his gear after landing one of five new UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopters at Hohenfels Army Airfield on April 21, 2010. (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone Walker)