First V-22 Osprey Delivered to Japan

Boeing, July 14, 2020 - CAMP KISARAZU, Japan — Bell Boeing delivered the first V-22 Osprey to Camp Kisarazu in Japan on July 10.

The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) is the first operator of the V-22 outside of the U.S. military.

“The delivery of the first Japanese V-22 is an important milestone and represents our strong partnership with the Government of Japan,” said Shane Openshaw, Boeing vice president of Tiltrotor Programs and Bell Boeing deputy program director.

“The Osprey’s ability to carry out the toughest missions in the most challenging operating environments will reshape what is possible for the Japan Ground Self Defense Force.”

The V-22 can conduct multiple missions not possible with traditional rotorcraft or fixed-wing aircraft, improving mission efficiency and reducing logistic costs. Japan’s V-22 has a unique configuration with a customer-specific communication system. The marinized design resists corrosion and reduces the cost of long-term maintenance. JGSDF service members have been training with U.S. Marines for the last month to gain aircraft proficiency before delivery of their first V-22.

“We have had the pleasure of working with the JGSDF state-side to produce, develop, train and maintain their initial fleet of aircraft,” said Marine Corps Col. Matthew Kelly, program manager for the V-22 Joint Program Office (PMA-275). “This arrival marks a key step in standing up its V-22 fleet, and more importantly, the continued collaboration between our nations.”

Japan joins the United States Marines, Navy, and Air Force in operating the V-22. These aircraft support multiple missions, including the transportation of personnel, supplies, and equipment; humanitarian support and search and rescue missions; long-range personnel recovery.

With more than 500,000 flight hours, the V-22 is one of the most in-demand platforms in military aviation, providing safe, survivable, combat-proven mission success only capable with the tiltrotor range, speed and versatility of the Osprey.

First Japanese V-22 arrives at Kisarazu Air Field

US NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND - July 14, 2020 - The first international variant of the V-22 Osprey aircraft flew from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni to the Kisarazu Air Field July 10, where the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) will now operate, train with, and maintain the aircraft.

Since 2016, pilots, crew chiefs and maintainers with the JGSDF have been training with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron (VMMT) 204 and Navy Aviation Technical Training Unit at MCAS New River.

The JGSDF procured the V-22 in 2015 through foreign military sales (FMS) to modernize its transport fleet and support its defense and special mission needs. The V-22s will enhance their humanitarian and disaster relief capabilities and support amphibious operations.

“This is an exciting moment in our partnership with the JGSDF; we have had the pleasure of working with them state-side to produce, develop, train and maintain their initial fleet of aircraft,” said Marine Corps Col. Matthew Kelly, program manager for the V-22 Joint Program Office (PMA-275). “This arrival marks a key step in standing up its V-22 fleet, and more importantly, the continued collaboration between our nations.”

The V-22 is the world’s first tiltrotor aircraft in production, combining the vertical takeoff, hover and vertical landing qualities of a helicopter with the long-range, fuel efficiency and speed characteristics of a turboprop aircraft.

The Japanese V-22 is the first of the two aircraft transported from the U.S. to Iwakuni via ship in May. The second aircraft is expected to ferry to Kisarazu soon.

In addition to the JGSDF, the V-22 is critical to three U.S. branches of military, the Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy. For the U.S. Special Operations Forces, the CV-22 supports long-range infiltration, exfiltration and resupply missions. The Marine Corps’ MV-22B provides assault support transport of combat troops, supplies and equipment during expeditionary, joint or combined operations. The CMV-22B is the Navy’s carrier onboard delivery replacement aircraft, currently in flight test.

PMA-275 manages the cradle to grave procurement, development, fielding, sustainment and disposal of the tiltrotor program for the DoD and the JGSDF.