Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey






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

Animation

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

3 views blueprints


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





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