Boeing Bell V-22 Osprey aircraft are the world's first production military
tilt-rotor vehicles. The Boeing Bell V-22 Osprey is used to transport troops, equipment and
supplies for amphibious and land assaults.
The
U.S. Marine Corps is scheduled to have a total of 360 Boeing Bell V-22 Osprey aircraft.
The U.S.A.F. anticipates acquiring 50 of the Boeing Bell V-22 Osprey aircraft and the U.S. Navy
another 48 of the Boeing Bell V-22 Osprey.
Boeing Bell V-22 Osprey projected expenses currently make it the most expensive rotor aircraft
ever produced. Boeing Bell anticipates that the unit cost will be
reduced once the Boeing Bell V-22 Osprey is sold to other countries in sufficient
quantities to bring the unit costs down. Both Britain and Japan have
expressed an interest in the aircraft.
Boeing Bell V-22 Osprey aircraft are slated to replace the CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter. The
CH-46 is a 1964 design and costs about US$ 18 million each.
Boeing Bell V-22 Osprey aircraft have had quite a number of safety issues throughout the years. During a 1992 test flight a Boeing Bell V-22 Osprey went down killing seven aboard. There
were two fatal Boeing Bell V-22 Osprey crashes in 2000 taking a total of 23 lives.
In
2006 two Boeing Bell V-22 Osprey aircraft were on a trans Atlantic flight as a
demonstration of their long range capabilities. One Boeing Bell V-22 Osprey aircraft was forced
down in Iceland due to engine problems. The flight was delayed while a
new US $2.5 million replacement engine was flown in.
The Marine Corps say that the Boeing Bell V-22 Osprey aircraft is safe. However, they do predict that there will be more crashes, "as with any new technology rotorcraft."
They say that the benefits of the Boeing Bell V-22 Osprey far out weigh the negatives. The Boeing Bell V-22 Osprey can fly higher and faster, and is more maneuverable than any
current rotor aircraft. That means it should be available for more
missions.
While
getting ready for their Iraq deployment, Boeing Bell V-22 Osprey aircraft experienced fuel
system leaks, nose landing gear failures, flight control computer
failures, and air conditioning break downs.
Ten Boeing Bell V-22 Osprey aircraft were transported by ship to Iraq in January of 2008. To
date they have flown about 2,000 mission hours.
At last report Boeing Bell V-22 Osprey aircraft had
a mission capability rate of just under 70%.