Modifications and upgrades of the V-22 Osprey

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In 2020, the U.S. Navy is to use the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey multi-role transport aircraft, designated CMV-22B. On the other hand, V-22s belonging to the Marine Corps and the US Air Force are waiting for further modifications and upgrades that expand their operational capabilities.
- Operational matters

V-22 Osprey

In 2020, the U.S. Navy is to use the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey multi-role transport aircraft, designated CMV-22B. On the other hand, V-22s belonging to the Marine Corps and the US Air Force are waiting for further modifications and upgrades that expand their operational capabilities.

Taking to the air in 1989, the V-22 has come a long and difficult path before its regular service with the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and units subordinate to the United States Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) began. During testing, seven disasters occurred in which 36 people died. The aircraft required technological refinement and new crew training methods, taking into account the specifics of piloting aircraft with adjustable rotors. Unfortunately, since commissioning in 2007, there have been four more accidents in which eight people died. The latest crash, a hard landing on May 17, 2014 at Bellows Air Force Base on Oahu, killed two Marines and injured 20.

Although the B-22 greatly improves the combat capabilities of the USMC and special forces, these aircraft have not received good press, and the entire program is often criticized. The information published in recent years about the often improper maintenance of aircraft in the Marine Corps and the deliberate overestimation of statistics about its reliability and combat readiness, which have been made public in recent years, has not helped either. Despite this, the V-22s also decided to be purchased by the United States Navy (USN), which would use them as airborne transport aircraft. In turn, the Marines see the V-22 as a flying tanker, and both this formation and the command of special operations want to equip the V-22 with offensive weapons so that they can perform close air support (CAS) missions.

Operational matters

The 2014 accident on the island of Oahu confirmed the Osprey's most serious operational problem - impellers of a huge amount of dust and dirt when landing or hovering over sandy terrain, while the engines are very sensitive to high air dust. The exhaust pipes of the engines are also responsible for raising clouds of dust, which, after turning the engine nacelles into a vertical position (hovering), are quite low above the ground.