400th production V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft delivered to AFSOC

The Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) received its 53rd CV-22 Osprey on Jun. 2, 2020 marking the 400th delivery of a V-22 in the history of the joint program.

The Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) received its 53rd CV-22 Osprey on Jun. 2, 2020 marking the 400th delivery of a V-22 in the history of the joint program.

“It’s been over 20 years since the first production V-22 was delivered and we are proud to reach another milestone in our 400th delivery. V-22s continue to be in high demand, protecting our country and our allies around the world through combat operations, international training partnerships and humanitarian missions,” said Marine Corps Col. Matthew Kelly, program manager for the V-22 Joint Program Office (PMA-275) in NAVAIR News Release. “This platform’s impact can’t be overstated.”

The Marines received the first production V-22 on May 24, 1999 and today, deliveries continue under the Multi-year Procurement III contract, valued at $5 billion through 2024. The contract includes all variants of the aircraft: Marine, Air Force, Navy and the first international customer, Japan.

With the V-22 expected to be in service beyond 2040, capability enhancements and readiness initiatives are program priorities, including digital interoperability, nacelle improvements, and fleet modernization efforts.

“This platform still has decades remaining to its service life,” said Kelly. “We are focused on keeping it a relevant, reliable and effective well into the future.”

In addition to ongoing production and sustainment efforts in the program, the V-22 Joint Program Office also manages development and test of the latest addition to the V-22 family of aircraft, the CMV-22B.  The CMV-22B is the Navy’s carrier onboard delivery replacement aircraft. The first two aircraft are currently in developmental test.  

PMA-275 manages the cradle to grave procurement, development, fielding, sustainment and disposal of the tiltrotor program for the DoD and its international partners.

The V-22 is a joint service, multi-mission aircraft with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability. It performs VTOL missions as effectively as a conventional helicopter while also having the long-range cruise abilities of a twin turboprop aircraft. 

The Marine Corps is the lead service in the development of the Osprey. The Marine Corps version, the MV-22B, is an assault transport for troops, equipment and supplies, and will be capable of operating from ships or from expeditionary airfields ashore. The Navy’s CMV-22B will provide combat search and rescue, delivery and retrieval of special warfare teams along with fleet logistic support transport. CV-22B is the AFSOC variant of the US Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey. The CV-22B’s mission is to conduct long-range infiltration, exfiltration and resupply missions for special operations forces.

Photo credit: Airman 1st Class Nathan LeVang / U.S. Air Force