They have poured so much money into this machine, and it still doesn't work. Why no uproar about how the Osprey has contributed to the deficit? Could it be because the parts are manufactured in so many congressional districts?

A Boeing-built Air Force CV-22 Osprey aircraft crashed Thursday night in southeastern Afghanistan, killing at least three service members and one government contractor, according to NATO officials.

Numerous other service members were injured in the crash, which occurred approximately seven miles west of Qalat City in Zabul Province. The injured were transported to a nearby base for medical treatment.

Military officials said the cause of the was unknown and the names of the dead were not immediately released.

[...] The CV-22 conducts long-range infiltration and re-supply for U.S. forces and employs tilt-rotor technology that allows it to take off and land as a helicopter. While in the air, the engines can roll forward, allowing the aircraft to fly like a turboprop plane at much speeds than helicopters.

The Marine version of the Osprey, the MV-22, made its combat debut in Iraq in October 2007. The CV-22 was declared fully operational in March 2009.

An Air Force official told the Washington Post the aircraft had just arrived in Afghanistan as part of the first deployment of Air Force Ospreys to the country.