The V-22 fleet of tiltrotor aircraft has topped the 500,000 flight hour milestone, according to Boeing.
More than 375 Ospreys logged the hours, including the U.S. Air Force CV-22 and the U.S. Marine Corps MV-22.
“The V-22 provides unmatched capability for the U.S. Marines and U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command,” said U.S. Marine Corps Col. Matthew Kelly, V-22 Joint Program Manager.
“The platform’s influence on our nation’s defense is seen through its extensive operational and humanitarian impact across the globe.”
The V-22 Osprey is the world’s only production tiltrotor aircraft, enabling servicemen and women to conduct diverse missions throughout the most difficult operating environments. Most recently, the aircraft deployed to assist relief efforts in the Bahamas following Hurricane Dorian.
“Since delivery of the first V-22 aircraft, Bell Boeing has ensured that our men and women in uniform have this indispensable asset available to protect heroes and save lives,” said Kristin Houston, vice president, Boeing Tiltrotor Programs and director, Bell Boeing V-22 Program.
“V-22 is one of the highest demand platforms in the Department of Defense. This achievement is a great testament to the Marines and Air Commandos operating this platform in all environments,” said Chris Gehler, Bell V-22 vice president and Bell Boeing deputy program director.
“We are committed to providing unparalleled support to our partners by steadily improving Osprey readiness and capabilities now and in the future.”
Since 2007, the V-22 has served the US Marines and Navy, as well as Air Force Special Operations. A third variant, the CMV-22, is scheduled to join the US Navy fleet in 2020.
I regularly see them flying over my home. Fantastic sight and I wish we had some to go on our new carriers.
Wonder what their overall reliability, serviceability and servicing man hours stacks up these days not to mention their safety record. Used to be appalling but one presumes it’s much improved. How improved, would determine in my eyes how useful they would be for UK service with the limited budgets available to us compared to the US. Do feel more positive towards the second generation designs mind that seem more efficient based on lessons learned and more compact and flexible which might suit us and potential future conflict scenarios a little better. But that’s gut more than any real insight I admit.
Apparently there have been 12 crashes and hull-loss incidents since 1991 and, of those, 5 have been attributed to human error. The last was in 2017.
The USN is hoping to have the CAV (CMV-22B) version in service next year for carrier on-board deliveries.
Personally I’d be happy to them as another joint RN/RAF procurement as I can’t see either being able to operate them in their own budget, mainly as a puma replacement for the RAF(jus imagine 1 in tiger paint) and a good carrier transport/refuelling if VARS has been certified(can’t remember)
Yes, great concept but one is bound to question the overall reliability of these platforms that try to be ‘all things to all men (persons?)’: especially as there are similar operation features inherent in the F35B.
I bet the Germans are really kicking themselves over ditching the Do 31 in 1970.
This is clearly a game changing technology and one that is about to be improved upon I believe.
The V280 Valors improvements will surely make it onto the next version fo the V22, this will increase its power, reduce its cost and make it significantly lighter. I also believe it will be easier to maintain.
We should wait for this next version and then standardise on it for all our medium lift.
If the price was competitive we could create an order for circa 60 units to replace the Pumas and Gazelle fleets and then re-role the merlins and wildcats accordingly to have a step change in capability.
This is unlikely to occur within the next 5 years – but we should be looking at our helicopter force in detail and how we move forward.