Long beset by accidents and cost overruns, the MV-22 Osprey tilt rotor aircraft program has accomplished major steps required for initial operational capability with completion of a major Block B operational test period. The Osprey is expected to earn the go-ahead this summer for operational deployment, bolstered in part by the aircraft’s high performance under mission-representative testing conducted in February and March of this year.
Block B improvements for the Osprey include a ramp-mounted weapon system, retractable refueling probe, personnel hoist and fast rope system and mission auxiliary tanks.

For troop delivery and recovery missions, the MV-22s carried 22 to 24 Marines, along with their gear. Average mileage per mission was 725 nautical miles, with the four VMX-22 aircraft logging a total of 30,000 miles over the evaluation period. Missions included a 2100-mile self-deployment, assault raids, company insertions, recon insertions and extractions, casualty evacuations and battlefield logistics. Missions involved fast rope and personnel hoist operations, external lift of the M777 lightweight howitzer, 1200 rounds fired from the Ospreys' M-240D ramp-mounted machine guns and 22 aerial refuelings. A third of the flying was done at night, including eight aerial refuelings. Crews faced multiple ground threats day and night, to validate and refine the tactics, techniques and procedures for objective area entry and threat reaction. They also integrated their operations with F/A-18 Hornets, AV-8 Harriers and AH-1 Cobras.

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