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2012-12-01

V-22 Osprey

The V-22 Osprey is a joint service multi-role combat aircraft utilizing tiltrotor technology to combine the vertical performance of a helicopter with the speed and range of a fixed wing aircraft. With its engine nacelles and rotors in vertical position, it can take off, land and hover like a helicopter.

Once airborne, its engine nacelles can be rotated to convert the aircraft to a turboprop airplane capable of high-speed, high-altitude flight. This combination allows the V-22 to fill an operational niche no other aircraft can approach.

The Osprey features a cross-coupled drive system so either engine can power the rotors if one engine fails. For shipboard compatibility, the rotors fold and the wing rotates to minimize the aircraft’s footprint for storage. The V-22 is the only vertical lift platform capable of rapid self-deployment to any theater of operation, worldwide.

Mission and Description

The V-22 Osprey Program is charged by the United States Department of Defense (DoD) with developing, testing, evaluating, procuring and fielding a tiltrotor Vertical/Short Takeoff and Landing (V/STOL) aircraft for Joint Service application with the Navy being the lead. The V-22 program is designed to enable an aircraft to meet the amphibious/vertical assault needs of the United States Marine Corps (USMC), the strike rescue needs of the Navy, and the special operations needs of the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). The MV-22B variant is replacing the CH-46E. The CV-22 variant provides a new capability and will augment the MC-130 in the USAF/USSOCOM inventory for special operations infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply missions.

The proven and versatile V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft is today transforming the way the USMC and Air Force Special Operations Command execute missions around the globe. The two services now have numerous consecutive and highly-successful deployments to their credit, covering Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, South America, Africa, and amphibious operations with Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs).

The year 2011 found one Marine tiltrotor squadron conducting high-intensity combat operations in Afghanistan while a second performed contingency operations with the MEU. Since June 2007 when the USMC achieved the Initial Operational Capability of the V-22, the transition of tactical helicopter units continued at the rate of two squadrons per year. Cognizant of the contribution their preeminent assault support capability would make to the warfighter, the USMC deployed its Marine medium tiltrotor squadrons without delay after transition to Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and the MEUs. The Air Force Special Operations Command joined this record with CV-22 deployments that began in 2008.

Powerful and Reliable Engines

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.

Shipshape

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-Mission

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.

Production Facts

The V-22 is produced under a strategic alliance between Bell Helicopter and Boeing. Boeing Military Aircraft’s Mobility division is responsible for the fuselage, empennage, and all subsystems, digital avionics, and fly-by-wire flight-control systems. Boeing partner Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., is responsible for the wing, transmissions, rotor systems, engine installation, and final assembly at its completion facility in Amarillo, Texas.

- Under the current program of record, 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 at New River, NC, on March 3, 2006, with many of its pilots going through training at VMMT-204. The first operational AFSOC unit received the CV-22 was the 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, FL, on November 16, 2006.

- 34 V-22 Ospreys were delivered in 2011 and current production plans call for 39 aircraft deliveries in 2012.

Customers

The US Marine Corps and the US Air Force Special Operations Command uses V-22. More than 165 Osprey tiltrotors are currently in operation across 10 Marine Corps and two Air Force Special Operations Command Osprey squadrons. The two services have together logged 16 successful combat, humanitarian, ship-based or Special Operations deployments since 2007. The worldwide Osprey fleet has amassed more than 135,000 flight hours, with nearly half of those hours logged in the past two years.

Safety, survivability and mission efficiency have become hallmarks of the operational fleet. According to Naval Safety Center records, the MV-22 has one of the lowest Class A mishap rates of any tactical rotorcraft in the Marine Corps during the past decade. Navy flight-hour cost data also show that the Osprey has the lowest cost per seat-mile (cost to transport one person over a distance of one mile) of any US naval transport rotorcraft in each of the last two years.

Marine Corps MV-22s are currently deployed in Afghanistan supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit supporting contingency operations, while AFSOC CV-22s are deployed in support of ongoing Special Operations missions.

Unique Capabilities

- Increased speed because it is twice as fast as a helicopter

- Much longer range resulting in greater mission versatility than a helicopter

- Multi-mission capability: amphibious assault, combat support, long-range special ops infiltration and exfiltration, transport, search and rescue, medevac, and, in the future, tanker capability

The V-22 Osprey aircraft can transport 24 combat troops, 20,000 pounds of internal or up to 15,000 pounds of external cargo using its medium lift and vertical takeoff and landing capabilities. It meets US Navy requirements for combat search and rescue, fleet logistics support, and special warfare support and matches the US Special Operations Command’s requirement for a high-speed, long-range, vertical lift aircraft. It can be stored aboard an aircraft carrier or assault ship because the rotors can fold and the wings rotate. It has air-to-air refueling capability, the cornerstone of the ability to self-deploy.

The V-22 provides a significant increase in operational range over the legacy systems it will replace and is the only vertical platform capable of rapid self-deployment to any theater of operation worldwide.

Multiyear Contract Details:

Bell Boeing was awarded a five-year production contract for 167 aircraft in March 2008. Contract modifications have since increased the multiyear contract total to 174 aircraft. Bell Boeing has submitted its proposal to the US Navy for a second multiyear procurement contract for the production and delivery of 98 V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. Negotiations are ongoing with a contract award anticipated by December 2012.

Block C Upgrade

The US Marine Corps has taken delivery of the first MV-22 Osprey produced with the new Block C suite of design upgrades in February 2012.

The V-22 Block C design upgrade includes a new weather radar system that improves navigation in poor weather conditions, and a redesigned Environmental Conditioning System to enhance aircrew and troop comfort. Expanded capacity and effectiveness built into the Electronic Warfare system -- including additional chaff/flare dispensers -- increases the Osprey’s ability to defeat air-to-air and ground-to-air threats. The Block C also provides greater situational awareness with enhanced cockpit and cabin displays.

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