The three branches of the military that fly the V-22 Osprey have confirmed they will not buy any more of the tiltrotor aircraft after current contracts are fulfilled. Military.com is reporting that the Navy, Marines and Air Force say they don’t need any more Ospreys, but they also confirm the distinctive aircraft will serve for decades. They estimate the complex platforms will be in the air through the 2050s. “We aren’t buying more CV-22s because we are at our program of record (54 aircraft) and are meeting requirements,” Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek told Military.com.
In addition to the 54 Ospreys operated by the Air Force, the final number of aircraft for the Marines will be 360 and the Navy will fly 48. To keep those airframes flying until mid-century, they’ll have to solve a vexing issue with clutches in the complex power transfer system that distributes power to the two rotors. So far, it seems like simple wear and tear on the drive between the engines and gearbox is the main culprit.
“To keep those airframes flying until mid-century, they’ll have to solve a vexing issue with clutches in the complex power transfer system that distributes power to the two rotors.”
I sure hope Bell has solved that issue with the new tilt-rotors that the Army decided to buy.
The V280 only in its very basic design is like the Osprey…BUT it is in no way the same aircraft at all.
If there ever was a design that we needed to let the Chinese steal, this is it. It has only been a GI killer from the word go.
Right you are!
I live next to Camp Pendleton. They fly over town occasionally. They are the only aircraft that is unsettling to me when it flies overhead.