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Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey

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The V-22 is a joint service, multi-mission aircraft with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability. It performs VTOL missions as effectively as a conventional helicopter while also having the long-range cruise abilities of a twin turboprop aircraft.

The United States Marine Corps is the lead service in the development of the Osprey. The Marine Corps version, the MV-22A, will be an assault transport for troops, equipment and supplies, and will be capable of operating from ships or from expeditionary airfields ashore. The US Navy's HV-22A will provide combat search and rescue, delivery and retrieval of special warfare teams along with fleet logistic support transport. The CV-22A operated by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) will conduct long-range special operations missions. The V-22 Osprey will replace the Marine Corps CH-46E and CH-53D as well as several types of the Special Operations Command H-53, H-47, H-60, and C-130 series aircraft.

The Osprey is a tiltrotor aircraft with a 38-foot rotor, engine, and transmission nacelle mounted on each wing tip. It can operate as a helicopter when taking off and landing vertically. Once airborne, the nacelles rotate forward 90 degrees for horizontal flight, converting the V-22 to a high-speed, fuel-efficient turboprop airplane. The wing rotates for compact storage aboard ship.

The first flight occurred in March 1989. Since then however there have been three significant failures during testing - a crash in 1991, another in 1992 the killed seven and a third in April 2000 that killed nineteen. The V-22 is the world's first production tiltrotor aircraft. Planned purchases include 360 for the Marine Corps, 48 for the Navy and 50 for the Air Force.

General Characteristics

  • Primary Function: Vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft
  • Contractor: Bell-Boeing
  • Propulsion: Two pivoting Rolls-Royce/Allison AE1107C engines
  • Main rotor diameter: 38 feet (11.58 meters)
  • Blades per rotor: Three
  • Weight: 60,500 lbs max gross weight
  • Ceiling: 25,000 feet (sevice ceiling)
  • Speed: 272 knots (cruise speed)
  • Armament: Provisions for two .50 caliber cabin guns
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