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
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 to replace the CH-46 Sea Knight as their main air assault transport with deliveries to 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 planed to acquire 48 HV-22B for combat search and rescue, special warfare and logistics support.
But after several accidents the program was delayed ( see details below )
As of 2004, the V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor 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 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.
The US Navy is scheduled to receive their first Osprey for COD in 2020
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
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
Osprey Evolution:
Database: V-22 Production List
Program First Steps:
British - U.S. study affirms V-22 Osprey effectiveness 1999
CV-22 Osprey Simulated Scenario 2000 US Marines Introduce New Helicopter
Sep 8, 1999 Osprey 's big cousin excites Pentagon
Sep 26, 1999 MV-22 concludes successful sea trials
Oct 11, 1999 Third Production MV-22 delivered
Nov 15, 1999 Northrop Grumman to built V-22 panels
Mar 16, 2000 CV-22 Osprey Block 10 Upgrades
Mar 24, 2000 MV-22 Crash
Apr 9, 2000 US Marines declare V-22 safe
May 10, 2000 Reports of pilot error are false
May 10, 2000 [MV-22 Crash] MV-22 resume operational evaluation
Jun 05, 2000 [MV-22 Crash] 23 deficiencies in the V-22 Osprey
Jun 27, 2000 V-22 searching to reduce costs
Aug 22, 2000 US Marines ground 3 types of aircraft
Aug 27, 2000 CV-22 flight testing set to begin at Edwards AFB
Sep 19, 2000 MV-22 declared operational over land
Oct 13, 2000 MV-22 deemed suitable for Shipboard Operations
Nov 14, 2000 MV-22 ready for Full-Rate Production
Nov 30, 2000 Marines MV-22 Crashes in North Carolina
Dec 12, 2000 V-22 grounded and production delayed
Dec 13, 2000 [MV-22 Crash] Probes to delay MV-22 Decision-Pentagon
Jan 25, 2001 Program resumed:
V-22 Osprey to resume flight testing
Feb 28, 2002 MV-22 resume flying, all ok
May 29, 2002 CV-22 enters Benefield Anechoic Facility
Jul 15, 2002 MV-22 Aircraft #21 Arrives at Patuxent River
Oct 18, 2002 Osprey Reaches 100-flight hour Mark
Nov 08, 2002 Rolls-Royce Ships 100th Engine for V-22 Tilt rotor
Dec 04, 2002 Program maturity:
Bell Boeing deliver 1st production CV-22 Osprey to Air Force Sep 19, 2005 DoD Approves V-22 Full Rate Production Sep 28, 2005 CSAR-X Bell Boeing V-22 retired from CSAR-X competition Oct 20, 2005 Bell Boeing Delivers First V-22 Block B Dec 08, 2005 VMMT-204 graduates first Osprey crew chiefs Feb 08, 2006 VMM-263 become first operational MV-22 Osprey squadron Mar 04, 2006 USMC MV-22 Osprey completes non-stop flight Jun 16, 2006 Bell-Boeing Team Begins CV-22 Support at Hurlburt Field Nov 17, 2006 Bell Boeing Meets V-22 Delivery Goals for 2006 Jan 9, 2007 New V-22 Hydraulic Automated Test System Jan 23, 2007 V-22 Fatigue Test Surpasses 20,000 Flight Hours Mar 07, 2007 V-22 Fleet Passed 25000 Flight Hour Milestone Apr 04, 2007 MV-22 on track for Initial Operational Capability Apr 04, 2007 MV-22 Osprey Lands on UK Aircraft Carrier for First Time Jul 11, 2007 Further Development: Quad Tilt Rotor
Osprey 's big cousin excites Pentagon Sep 26, 1999 Tiltrotor Airlift Technology for Army Transformation Jul 19, 2004 Bell Boeing Wins JHL Contract Sep 19, 2005 Wind Tunnel Testing Completed on Bell Boeing Quad Tiltrotor Sep 13, 2006 
