V-22 Osprey
The V-22 Osprey is the first aircraft designed from the ground up to meet the needs of all four U.S. armed services. The aircraft can transport Marine Corps assault troops and cargo using its medium lift and vertical takeoff and landing capabilities. It meets U.S. Navy requirements for combat search and rescue, fleet logistics support, and special warfare support.
The V-22 is a tiltrotor aircraft, taking off and landing like a helicopter, but, once airborne, its engine nacelles can be rotated to convert the aircraft to a turboprop airplane capable of high-speed, high-altitude flight.
It can carry 24 combat troops, or up to 20,000 pounds of internal or external cargo, at twice the speed of a helicopter. It includes cross-coupled transmissions so either engine can power the rotors if one engine fails.
The rotors can fold and the wing rotate so the aircraft can be stored aboard an aircraft carrier.
Boeing is responsible for the fuselage and all subsystems, digital avionics, and fly-by-wire flight-control systems. Boeing partner Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., is responsible for the wing, transmissions, empennage, rotor systems, and engine installation.
The first of four LRIP (low-rate initial production) MV-22 models completed Operation/Evaluation in August 2000. Following an aircrash in December 2000, a number of upgrades are taking place including redesign of hydraulics and wiring in the nacelles and improved flight control software. A two-year flight test program began in May 2002 to be followed by a second OP/EVAL phase. Initial Operating capability is planned for 2005. USAF CV-22 resumed flight testing in September 2002. 360 MV-22 have been ordered and 50 CV-22 (to replace MH-53J Pave Low helicopters).
The Osprey has two, large, three-bladed rotors that rotate in opposite directions and produce lift. Because the rotors turn in opposite directions, there is no need for a tail rotor to provide stability as in a helicopter. The wing tilts the rotors between airplane and helicopter modes and generates lift in the airplane mode. The Osprey can convert smoothly from helicopter mode to airplane mode in as few as 12 seconds.
The major advantages of the Osprey over a helicopter are:
- Longer range - The Osprey can fly from 270 to 580 miles (453 to 933 km).
- Higher speed - The Osprey's top speed is 315 mph (507 kph), which is twice as fast as a helicopter's top speed.
- Increased cargo capacity - The Osprey can carry 20,000 pounds (4,536 kg) of cargo or 24 troops.
The advantage of the Osprey over an airplane is that it can take off, hover and land like a helicopter. This makes is more versatile than an airplane for such missions as moving troops to remote areas, especially those without landing strips, or conducting long-range rescue operations at sea.
Recent developments (news)
Bell-Boeing Awarded $105.4m for CV/MV-22 Block C upgrade
Posted at: Wed November 25th, 2009
Bell Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded a $105,417,721 modification to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-fee multi-year contract (N00019-07-C-0001) for efforts associated with the Block C upgrade of 91 MV-22 and 21 CV-22 air...
CV-22s complete historic deployment
Posted at: Mon November 23rd, 2009
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- After patiently waiting out Hurricane Ida, crew members and support personnel from the 8th Special Operations Squadron and the 8th Aircraft Maintenance Unit returned home Nov. 12, to anxious family and friends waiting for them inside the Freedom Hangar.
USMC MV-22B Osprey to Support OEF
Posted at: Mon November 9th, 2009
USS BATAAN, At sea (NNS) -- The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) launched 10 MV-22B Ospreys from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit to fly into Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, Nov. 6, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
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