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2014-10-01

MULTI-TASK MIGHT

V-22 Osprey is a joint-service, multi-mission tilt-rotor aircraft

With the speed of a plane and the hovering ability of a helicopter, the V-22 Osprey is a true multi-task aircraft. Whether the job is transporting troops, delivering cargo or flying Special Forces operations, the V-22 brings more capabilities to the mission than any other aircraft on the market.

The V-22’s unique abilities and combat tests have often been touted as a game changer for covert and expeditionary forces. The V-22 Osprey is a joint-service, medium-lift, multi-mission tilt-rotor aircraft developed by Boeing and Bell Helicopters. Boeing is responsible for the fuselage, landing gear, avionics, electrical and hydraulic systems, performance and flying qualities.

Bell Helicopter Textron is responsible for the wing and nacelle, propulsion, rotor, empennage (complete tail system), ramp, overwing fairing and the dynamics.

A total of 112 V-22s are currently operated by the US Air Force (USAF) and the US Marine Corps (USMC).

At twice the speed of a helicopter, the Osprey carries 24 combat troops, or up to 20,000 pounds (9,072 kg) of internal cargo or 15,000 pounds (6,804 kg) of external cargo. Its cargo bay can accommodate nine litters with medical personnel and equipment.

Two Rolls-Royce AE1107C Liberty turboshaft engines supply power for the V-22, producing 6,150 shp (4,586 kW) each. For safe, reliable flight, the V-22’s cross-coupled transmissions allow either engine, separately or together, to power the rotors.

Designed with folding rotors and a rotating wing, the V-22 fits nicely in the maritime base. It stores compactly on board an aircraft carrier or assault ship in a minimal footprint. With air-to-air refueling capability, it meets the US Navy requirements for combat search and rescue, fleet logistics support, and special warfare support.

Multi-missioned

The V-22’s multi-mission capability is like no other. From all manner of assault, support or transport to whatever the need requires in a speed-to-scene, coupled with a hovering capability, the Osprey delivers faster, better - and without peer.

The V-22 is produced under a strategic alliance between Bell Helicopter and The Boeing Company.

Under the current program, the Marine Corps will purchase 360 MV-22s for missions including amphibious assault, ship-to-objective maneuvers and sustained operations ashore.

The Navy is also slated to get 48 MV-22s, which could be used for fleet logistic support and search and rescue.

The Air Force Special Operations Command acquired 50 CV-22 variants, with enhanced capabilities tailored for their unique mission requirements. The CV-22 reached initial operational capability in 2009, while the Marines’ variant deployed in late 2007.

The first operational Marine Osprey squadron, VMM-263, stood up in 2006. The first operational AFSOC unit that received the CV-22 was the 1st Special Operations Wing.

More than 200 V-22 Ospreys are currently in operation and the worldwide fleet has amassed more than 185,000 flight hours, with half of those hours logged in the past three years.

Tilt rotor capability

The aircraft operates as a helicopter when taking off and landing vertically. The nacelles rotate 90 degrees forward once airborne, converting it into a turboprop aircraft.

The aircraft can provide VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) with a payload of 24 troops, or 6,000lb of cargo at 430nm combat range, or VTOL with a payload of 8,300lb of cargo for a range of 220nm.

The helicopter is self-deployable worldwide, with a ferry range over 2,100nm. Normal operating range is up to 1,100nm.

The tilt-rotor aircraft is available in three configurations: the Combat Assault and Assault Support MV-22 for the USMC and the US Army; the long-range special operations CV-22 for US Special Operations Command (US SOCOM); and the US Navy HV-22, for combat search and rescue, special warfare and fleet logistic support.

Programme and development

The first of four LRIP (low-rate initial production) MV-22 models completed operation and evaluation in August 2000. Following a crash in December 2000, a number of upgrades were implemented including redesign of hydraulics and wiring in the nacelles and improved flight control software.

A two-year flight test programme began in May 2002 and a second OP/EVAL phase began in March 2005. USAF CV-22 resumed flight testing in September 2002. The first CV-22 was delivered to the USAF in October 2005.

A further 11 LRIP aircraft (nine MV-22 and two CV-22) were ordered in 2003, 11 (eight MV-22 and three CV-22) in 2004 and 11 (nine MV-22 and two CV-22) in 2005.

The V-22 was approved for full-rate production in September 2005. The MV-22 achieved initial operating capability in June 2007 and left for its first operational deployment in Iraq in September 2007, with USMC Squadron 263. Initial operating capability for the CV-22 was achieved in 2009, but a CV-22 flew a first search and recovery mission from Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, in 2007.

A five-year contract for 141 MV-22 and 26 CV-22 was placed in March 2008. In total 360 MV-22 (to replace CH-46 Sea Knight) and 50 CV-22 (to replace MH-53J Pave Low helicopters) are required. The 100th V-22 Osprey was delivered in 2008.

In 2006, two MV-22 Ospreys completed flights crossing the Atlantic to take part in the flying display at Farnborough International Airshow. The MV-22 was deployed for the first time in an offensive combat mission known as Operation Cobra’s Anger in 2009.

The V-22 achieved 100,000 flight hours milestone in March 2011.

Shipboard compatible

The V-22 is fully shipboard compatible, with the world’s first complete blade fold and wing stowage system. It is able to operate off all US Navy L-class amphibious ships, the LHA/LHD assault carriers, and can be stowed on full-size CV/CVN carriers.

For stowage, the wings are rotated to lie above and parallel to the fuselage to create a compact rectangular volume.

The automatic wing and rotor folding sequence, which can be completed in 90 seconds in a 60kt wind, is as follows: the aircraft lands in helicopter mode; the two outboard blades of each rotor are folded inboard; the nacelles are rotated forward to cruise mode; and the wings are rotated by 90 degrees clockwise.

The glass cockpit is equipped with six night-vision goggle compatible displays including four six inch-square color active matrix liquid crystal multifunction displays, a shared control display unit and a standby flight display. The flight crew have a pilot’s night-vision system and a Honeywell integrated helmet display.

The standby altitude indicator and the standby flight display are supplied by Smiths Industries. The cabin and the cockpit are NBC (nuclear, biological and chemical warfare) protected with a positive pressure filtered air system.

The aircraft is armed with an M240G 7.62mm machine gun mounted on the back ramp.

In 2008, BAE Systems was awarded a contract by the US SOCOM for the rapid development and installation of a remotely operated weapon turret for the MV-22, based on the remote guardian system (RGS), which provides 360 degree coverage. The RGS is belly-mounted on the MV-22 and is armed with a GAU-17 7.62mm minigun. BAE Systems installed the first system on a CV-22 in 2008 for ground and flight testing.

Sensors

The US Air Force and US Navy variants are equipped with a Raytheon AN/APQ-186 terrain-following, multimode radar. The helicopter night-vision system is the Raytheon AN/AAQ-16 (V-22) FLIR, which is mounted on the nose.

The aircraft’s electronic warfare suite includes the ATK AN/AAR-47 missile warning system, which consists of four electro-optic sensors with photomultipliers, a signal processing unit and a cockpit display.

The V-22 Osprey aircraft is equipped with a 12.7mm turreted gun system.

The aircraft is also equipped with a radar and infrared threat warning system and chaff and flare dispensers with 60 rounds of dispensables.

The CV-22 features the suite of integrated radio frequency measures (SIRFC) developed by ITT Avionics.

Engines

The aircraft is powered by two Rolls-Royce AE1107C turboshaft engines rated at 4,586kW maximum continuous power.

The engines are fitted with full-authority digital electronic control (FADEC) supplied by Lucas Aerospace, backup analog electronic control system, and fire protection system from Systron Donner.

A transmission interconnect shaft provides single-engine operation. The thermal signature of the aircraft is minimised with an AiResearch infrared emission suppression unit, installed on the nacelles near the engine exhaust.

The entire rotor, transmission and engine nacelles tilt through 90 degrees in forward rotation and are directed forwards for forward flight, and through 7 degrees 30’ in aft rotation for vertical take-off and landing.

Performance

The V-22 can climb at the rate of 16.2m/s. The maximum and cruise speeds of the aircraft are 565km/h and 510km/h respectively. The range is 3,379km. The combat range and service ceiling are 692km and 7,620m respectively.

After a series of successful tests, the US Navy in March this year certified that the Boeing Phantom Badger combat support vehicle can be transported inside a V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. That is another step toward providing warfighters with more options to deploy the versatile vehicle.

The tests included form-fit checks, pressure tests and structural evaluations exceeding four G-forces.

“This certification validates Phantom Badger’s versatile design while offering the warfighter increased battlefield access and deployment options,” said John Chicoli, program manager for Boeing’s internally transportable vehicle program.

“Phantom Badger is designed to easily fit in the compact space of the V-22 and it is also compatible with many larger aircraft.”

Ten Phantom Badgers fit in a C-17 transport aircraft and two fit in a C-130 aircraft or CH-47 Chinook helicopter.

Phantom Badger has completed more than 5,000 miles of rugged terrain durability testing and successful airdrop tests from a C-17.

Developed by Boeing Phantom Works, Phantom Badger supports a wide range of missions not possible with existing combat support vehicles. Its rear section is modular and can be quickly changed for missions including reconnaissance, combat search and rescue, casualty transport, direct action with weapons mounts or explosive ordnance disposal.

This combination of modularity, transportability and proven all-terrain performance provides increased mission flexibility and enhanced survivability.

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