Fleet Week is a United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard tradition in which active military ships recently deployed in overseas operations dock in major cities for one week. Often, Fleet Week includes displays and flights by various aircraft. I had the opportunity for up close views of the MV–22 Osprey and a CH-53 Sea Stallion. Thus, this report is more about these two aircraft rather than a report on the entire event.

The MV–22 Osprey is the world's first production tilt-rotor aircraft with one three-bladed prop-rotor, turbo-prop engine, and transmission nacelle mounted on each wingtip. It is classified as a powered-lift aircraft capable of both vertical takeoff and landing, as well as short take off and landing. It was designed to be the best combination of a conventional helicopter and a longrange, high-speed turbo-prop airplane. The V-22 Osprey was made in cooperation with Bell Helicopter and Boeing Helicopter. The Osprey first flew in 1989. The U.S. Marine Corps begin training with the Osprey in 2000 and used them in the field in 2007. The U.S. Air Force started using their version of the Osprey in 2009. The Osprey has been used in operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Kuwait.

The Osprey has a maximum speed of 305 knots (at 15,000 feet), a maximum altitude limit of 14,000 feet, and an operational range of 1,100 nautical miles. For takeoff and landing, it typically operate as a helicopter with the nacelles vertical and rotors horizontal. Once airborne, the nacelles rotate forward 90° in as little as 12 seconds for horizontal flight, thus converting from a helicopter to the more fuel efficient, higher speed turbo-prop aircraft. The Osprey is powered by two Rolls–Royce AE 1107C engines. To ensure that the Osprey can still fly if one engine fails, the engines are connected by drive shafts to a common central gearbox. However, the Osprey is generally not capable of hovering on only one engine.

The Osprey is equipped with a glass cockpit which incorporates four multi-function displays and a shared central display unit. The auto pilot system can take the aircraft from forward flight into a 50 foot hover with no pilot interaction, other than programming the system. Since the fuselage is not pressurized, personnel must wear oxygen masks above 10,000 feet.

The Osprey can be armed with one M240 machine gun (.308 caliber) or a M2 machine gun (.50 caliber) on the loading ramp. A belly dash-mounted, remotely-operated gun turret system was created for the Osprey but seldom used due to its hefty 800 pound weight. Ospreys are routinely escorted by helicopter gunships and close air support aircraft in order to allow the Osprey to focus on their transport role. The Osprey is manned by a crew of four including a pilot, copilot and two flight engineers. It can transport a maximum of 32 troops and carry a maximum internal cargo load of 20,000 pounds or up to 15,000 pounds on its two external hydraulic lifts. The Osprey is 57' 4" long with a wingspan of 45' 10". It's maximum height, with nacelles vertical, is 22' 1". It's rotors, which can fold in 90 seconds, are 84' 7" wide. The Osprey has a range of 879 nautical miles and a combat radius of 390 nautical miles.

The CH-53 Sea Stallion is a heavy–lift transport helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft. It was originally contracted by the United States Marines with required capabilities including a load capacity of 8,000 pounds, operational radius of 100 nautical miles, and a speed of 150 knots. It's desired use was for assault transport of heavy equipment, aircraft recovery, personnel transport, and medical evacuation. The Sea Stallion is managed by a crew of four - pilot, copilot, crew chief, and aerial observer. It can carry a load of 55 troops or 24 rescue baskets with medical attendants; an internal cargo load of 8,000 pounds or an external load up 13,000 pounds on it single-point sling hook.

Free ship tours were open to the public throughout Fleet Week. There where several demonstration at various locations by the Navy's helicopters and their Parachute Team: the Leap Frogs. Unfortunately one of them dies this year, as his parachute failed to open.

In addition, a tri-state airport was home to the V-22 Osprey for Fleet Week. This multi-mission, tiltrotar military aircraft allows for both vertical takeoff and landing, and short takeoff and landing capabilities. It is designed to combine the functionality of a conventional helicopter with the long-range, high-speed cruise performance of a turboprop aircraft.