Bell/Boeing V-22 Osprey: Multi Service Tilt-rotor

This joint Bell and Boeing project was established in 1982 in response to the Joint Services Advanced Vertical Lift Program covering a wide performance envelope and multiple tasks. The answer came in the form of the V-22 tilt-rotor, a concept tested earlier by Bell with their 1977 XV-15. The transport aircraft style fuselage of the V-22, able to carry 24 troops, is topped by a wing with a complex flap/aileron system and two swivelling pods housing Rolls-Royce turboshaft engines, each driving enormous three-bladed prop-rotors. The XV-22A prototype first flew on 19 March 1989 and was followed by nine further prototype and development aircraft. The intention was that the USAF would receive the CV-22B for special missions work, the US Marine Corps the MV-22B assault transports and the US Navy the HV-22B CSAR/fleet logistics version, but the technologically challenging program has been set back by fatal accidents and an eighteen month grounding while flight safety issues were addressed. However, it is set to recommence a restricted development program with the intention that the production aircraft will begin to be delivered at the end of 2003 and gain initial operating capability by 2005 making the timing of this comprehensive new book on the aircraft, most apposite.

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