NAVAIR

CV-22 Osprey

Mission

The CV-22 is an Air Force-modified version of the U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey. The CV-22’s mission is to conduct long-range infiltration, exfiltration and resupply missions for special operations forces.

Description

Like the MV-22 Osprey, the CV-22 is a tiltrotor aircraft that combines the vertical takeoff, hover, and vertical landing qualities of a helicopter with the long-range, fuel efficiency and speed characteristics of a turboprop aircraft. Those capabilities give this versatile, self-deployable aircraft the capability to conduct missions that would normally require both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft.
 

The CV-22 is equipped with integrated threat countermeasures, terrain-following radar, forward-looking infrared sensor, and other advanced avionics systems that allow it to operate at low altitude in adverse weather conditions and medium- to high-threat environments.
 

The first operational CV-22 was delivered to Air Force Special Operations Command's (AFSOC) 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Fla., in January 2007. AFSOC deployed the CV-22 ahead of IOC in December 2008 for Operation Flintlock 09 in Africa. Making trans-Atlantic flights to and from the African continent using two entirely different routes, the CV-22 demonstrated the aircraft’s ability to self deploy globally. AFSOC also used the CV-22 to deliver relief supplies to rugged, isolated area in Honduras in June 2009.

Specifications

Primary Function: Long-range infiltration, exfiltration and resupply missions for special operations forces.
Contractor: Bell-Boeing
Date Deployed: 2009
Propulsion: Two Two Rolls-Royce Liberty AE1107C engines, each deliver 6,200 shaft horsepower.
Length: 57 feet, 3 inches
Wingspan: 84.6 feet with rotors turning
Height: 22 feet, 1 inch with nacelles vertical.
Weight: Max. gross, vertical take-off: 52,600 lbs. Short take-off 57,000 lbs
Airspeed: Cruise: 280 knots
Ceiling: 25,000 feet (7,620 meters).
Range: 2,100 nautical miles with internal auxiliary fuel tanks
Crew: 4 – pilot, copilot, flight engineer, crew chief, ; 24 troops

Program Status

ACAT: ACAT IC Program
Production Phase: In Production
Inventory: 27 (Oct. 4, 2012) 
Projected Inventory: 50
Achieved Initial Operational Capabilities (IOC) date: 2009
Projected Full Operational Capabilities (FOC) date: 2017