V‑22 Osprey grounded. Billion-dollar machines won't fly again

The United States has chosen to ground all V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft until the underlying causes of a recent crash, which took place off the coast of Japan on November 29, are fully understood. This isn't the first time issues have surfaced with the aircraft, an inventive blend of a plane and a helicopter. Despite ongoing development for over 30 years, the design continues to pose serious complications.

The Pentagon announced the suspension of all operational activities involving the various Osprey variants following the tragic accident of a CV-22 off the Japanese coast on November 29. That crash resulted in the deaths of eight members of the U.S. Air Force Special Forces. Japan has also grounded its fleet of 14 tiltrotor aircraft. The duration of this grounding remains uncertain.

Tony Bauernfein, the head of the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command, stated that this is a precautionary measure aimed at reducing risk while investigating and determining the causes of the crash. Early analysis suggests that the accident was not due to crew error. It's worth noting that this is the second crash of a V-22 tiltrotor aircraft belonging to the U.S. Army in 2023. The earlier incident occurred in August when an MV-22B Osprey crashed on Melville Island, which resulted in the deaths of three out of 23 soldiers on board, with the rest sustaining injuries.

The V-22 Osprey has been associated with many accidents and fatalities. An August report by ABC News revealed that since 1992, the aircraft has been involved in 15 accidents, causing 53 fatalities. With the inclusion of the November 29 incident, the figures now stand at 16 accidents and 61 fatalities. The aircraft's failures occurred during multiple scenarios, including tests, exercises, and operational activities. These statistics are alarming, particularly considering that the U.S. does not operate a vast fleet of Ospreys.

PBS NewsHour's reporting notes that the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command owns 51 Ospreys. Additionally, the U.S. Marine Corps and the Navy host about 400 and 27 Ospreys respectively. The Osprey program, which has been under development for over 30 years, has cost approximately $50 billion thus far.

The Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey is a tiltrotor aircraft designed for executing long-range special operations. Its innovative construction makes it a unique blend of an airplane and a helicopter theoretically, combining their advantages, particularly high speed, and range with vertical takeoff and landing capability. The V-22 Osprey is available in three configurations:

• The CV-22 for long-range special operations carried out by the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command,
• The MV-22 for combat assault and assault support for the U.S. Marine Corps,
• The HV-22 for conducting search and military rescue missions.

Resembling an airplane, the V-22 Osprey places its engines and large propellers at the very ends of the wings. The machine measures 57 feet in length, 18 feet in height, and each installed rotor has a diameter of 38 feet. Able to ascend to altitudes of 26,000 feet, the Osprey can fly at top speeds exceeding 310 miles per hour. Weighing 31,000 pounds, the aircraft can transport substantial loads up to 20,000 pounds inside its hold as well as 13,200 pounds suspended under the fuselage.

One of the reasons the Americans persist in using the Ospreys, despite troubling statistics, is several of its unique features which make it an alluring platform for executing specialized operations. Such features highlight its impressive speed and the ability to cover larger distances than conventional helicopters. Additionally, it can accommodate a four-person crew and up to 24 passengers.

Another essential feature is its capability for vertical take-offs and landings, a practical solution for operating in hard-to-reach locations such as warships or during time-sensitive rescue missions. For instance, in February 2022, two tiltrotor CV-22 Osprey aircraft, with the call signs Pyro 41 and Pyro 42, played vital roles in the evacuation of American diplomats from Lviv to Poland.

The recurrent flaws of the Ospreys, coupled with the recent grounding of the entire fleet announced on December 6, 2023, may potentially reduce the benefits from this unique construction. It also propels questions about the future of the V-22 Osprey, which has been a significant part of American special missions.