V-22 Osprey

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

Related Topics:
Aircraft - Vertical take-off and landing - Helicopter - Turboprop

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The Osprey is the world's first production tiltrotor aircraft with a 38 ft (12 m) rotor, engine, and transmission nacelle mounted on each wing tip. It typically operates as a helicopter with its nacelles vertical (rotors horizontal) for takeoff and landing. Once airborne, the nacelles rotate forward 90 degrees in as little as 12 seconds for horizontal flight, converting the V-22 to a high-speed, fuel-efficient turboprop airplane. STOL, rolling-takeoff and landing capability is achieved by having the nacelles tilted forward up to 45 degrees. For compact storage aboard a ship, the wing rotates (about the z-axis), and the proprotors fold in a sequence that takes between 90 and 120 seconds.

Related Topics:
Tiltrotor - Nacelle

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The United States Marine Corps is the lead service in the development of the V-22 Osprey. The Marine Corps version, the MV-22B, will be an assault transport for troops, equipment and supplies, and will be capable of operating from ships or from expeditionary airfields ashore. The planned, but as yet unfunded, US Navy V-22 will provide combat search and rescue, delivery and retrieval of special warfare teams along with fleet logistic support transport. The CV-22 operated by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) will conduct long-range special operations missions, combat rescue, among other special 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 MH-53 Pave Low and possibly some C-130 Hercules series aircraft.

Related Topics:
United States Marine Corps - US Navy - United States Special Operations Command - CH-46E - CH-53D - MH-53 Pave Low - C-130 Hercules

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The Osprey was developed and is built jointly by Bell Helicopter - Textron, who manufacture and integrate the wing, nacelles, rotors, drive system, tail surfaces, and aft ramp, as well as integrating the Rolls-Royce engines; and The Boeing Company, who manufacture and integrate the fuselage, cockpit, avionics, and flight controls. Portions are manufactured in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Amarillo, Texas. Final assembly and delivery occurs in Amarillo, Texas. The joint development team is known as Bell-Boeing.

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