Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey
In 1983, the Bell Boeing tiltrotor team was selected to develop their tiltrotor concept into the V-22. It is powered by two Rolls-Royce T406-AD-400 engines which drive 38 ft (11.6 m) three-blade rotors on a 45 ft (13.7 m) wingspan. The aircraft maximum Short Take-Off gross weight is 60,500 lb (27.4 metric tons) and it can fly at more than 250 knots (460 km/h), carrying up to 24 troops or an internal payload of 20,000 lb (9.1 metric tons).
Type Description
In 1983, the Bell Boeing tiltrotor team was selected to develop their tiltrotor concept into the V-22. It is powered by two Rolls-Royce T406-AD-400 engines which drive 38 ft (11.6 m) three-blade rotors on a 45 ft (13.7 m) wingspan. The aircraft maximum Short Take-Off gross weight is 60,500 lb (27.4 metric tons) and it can fly at more than 250 knots (460 km/h), carrying up to 24 troops or an internal payload of 20,000 lb (9.1 metric tons).
The Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey is the first tiltrotor to enter production and be used operationally. The aircraft can trace its lineage to prior two Bell demonstrator’s products, the XV-3 and XV-15. The aircraft flew for the first time on March 19, 1989. Since then, it has evolved into a reliable and essential component of US military — the Osprey had a long and challenging development history, but over time this capable machine has lived up to its original expectations.
Today, the V-22 is being used by the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Marine Corps, with Japan also having ordered the Osprey. The V-22 Osprey has been continuously deployed since entering service in 2007 and, in November 2018, the fleet surpassed the 400,000-flight hour milestone.
Milestones Associated with the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey
March 19, 1989
V-22A Osprey:
First flight of the Bell-Boeing V-22A
