Local guy got this shot of the 2nd Navy Osprey. Cool photo, but what the heck is that on top? I'm talking about the cable-looking thing that goes down the top back of the fuselage, then wraps down the side.



https://www.facebook.com/Rodney-Bastow-Photography-107805087222857

The CMV-22's mods include long-range comms. Perhaps that's the associated antenna array?

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That's been suggested from the photographer's web site. Good guess.

I'll ask.

Brb

Could it be anything t do with static electricity grounding? wild arsed guess on my part

Not my photo but I actually saw this aircraft in Iraq in 2008. Notice it doesn't have the cabling.

Google tells me that's VMM-162, a Marine tiltrotor squdron out of North Carolina. I think the above guess might be closest, some sort of HF antennae that requires a long wire.

This, as indicated above, is one of the V-22s going to take over COD duties. So long-range coms are needed.

Saw one fly over today, may be the same a/c as in the OP

CanyonAg77 said:

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Google tells me that's VMM-162, a Marine tiltrotor squdron out of North Carolina. I think the above guess might be closest, some sort of HF antennae that requires a long wire.

This, as indicated above, is one of the V-22s going to take over COD duties. So long-range coms are needed.

Saw one fly over today, may be the same a/c as in the OP

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I have personal video and other photos but not able to post on here. We only saw them when VIPs came to visit. Large unit movement was always by CH-47's in the middle of the night. Always an interesting night when your GP medium was close by.

Camp Bucca 07-08

HF antennae