Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey

	helis.com
	helicopter history site

Login \| Contact us

You need to login
to edit this page

Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey

End of more than 50 years of experiences the V-22 Osprey was the first tiltrotor to enter in production.

The US Department of Defense began the V-22 program in 1981 under Army leadership but later the Navy/Marines took the lead in developing what was then known as JVX or Joint-service Vertical take-off/landing Experimental aircraft. Full-scale development of the V-22 tilt-rotor aircraft began in 1986

Original plan contemplates 360 MV-22 for the US Marines , accelerate from seven per year in 2000 to 30 per year in 2004. The US Air Force was to acquiring 50 CV-22 Ospreys to replace its fleet of MH-53J Pave Low helicopters used to insert and extract special operations forces covertly from hostile areas. Procurement of the first production CV-22s was scheduled to begin in 2001 with deliveries in 2003 and an initial operational capability expected in 2004. The US Navy plans to acquire 48 HV-22Bs for combat search and rescue, special warfare and logistics support.

But after several accidents the program was delayed ( see details on new releases below )

As of 2004, the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor has been back flying for over two years, with 18 aircraft currently on flight status. More aircraft are added to the fleet every month with flight-testing continuing for another 16 months before the Osprey enters operational service.

The US Government has authorized Bell Boeing to continue low rate production of at least 11 per year which will grow to 48 per year after 2011.
Including FSD, EMD and Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL), V-22 aircraft have flown approximately 7,000 hours, participated in extensive ground-based and shipboard tests, achieved speeds of 342 knots (402 mph; 647 km/hr), altitude of 25,000 ft., gross weight of 60,500 lbs. and a G maneuver load factor of +3.9 at 260 knots. External loads of 10,000 lbs. have been carried 50 nm at 230 knots.

On June 3, 2005, the United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron, HMM-263 a CH-46 Sea Knight unit , stood down to begin the process of transitioning to the MV-22 Osprey, and reactivated March 3, 2006 as the first MV-22 squadron, re-designated VMM-263.

On September 19, 2005, the first CV-22A was delivered to the US Air Force.

First Flight : March 19, 1989
Mission: Assault, Cargo

Engines: 2 * Allison T406-AD-400 Turboshafts
Speed in Helicopter mode : 185 km/h
Speed in Airplane mode : 509 Km/h -- Max : 638

Rate of climb: Max: 707 m/min
Service Ceiling: 7925 m
Range: 953 km

Weight: Empty: 14800 kg -- Max: 27442
Max Internal Payload: 9072 Kg
Cargo hook capacity: 4500 Kg

Width: 25.55 m
Length: 19.09 m
Height: 6.63 m
Rotor Span: 11.58 m
Disc Area: 105.36 m2 each