US Marine Corps says V-22 Osprey performing well in Iraq

[R-CON]Clypp · 02-08-2008, 08:20 PM

Bell Boeing MV-22 Osprey tiltrotors have flown more than 1,400 combat sorties in Iraq since deploying to Al Anbar province in October, including the first aeroscout missions to hunt down insurgents, says the US Marine Corps.

With some 2,000 flying hours logged in Iraq, the aircraft are maintaining an average mission-capable availability rate of 68.1%, The USMC says the MV-22 squadron in Iraq "has not missed a launch due to mechanical issues".

The mission-capable rate for all USMC aircraft is 76% and the goal for the Osprey is be at 82% by 60,000h, the service says, addding that the entire MV-22 fleet is currently at about 30,000h.

According to the Marines, the 10 MV-22Bs of medium tiltrotor squadron VMM-263 have taken over the full range of assault support missions from the Sikorsky CH-53Ds previously operated in Anbar province by HMH-363.

MV-22 in Iraq - rotor tips glow with static energy © USMC

These missions include battlefield circulation - moving officers and soldiers around the area of operations - governance missions carrying Iraqi official, pre-planned raids and roving aeroscout operations, as well as personnel recovery and casualty evacuation.

"The area of operations has, in a number of way, highlighted the performance of the aircraft," says Lt Col Paul Rock, VMM-263 commanding officer. "Our area of operations is large and the aircraft's speed and range has been much appreciated."

Rock says the Osprey's systems have enhanced the squadron's ability to perform desert landings in brownout conditions caused by rotor-blown sand, the aircraft's autopilot-coupled hover capability significantly increasing safety.

As expected, maintenance has been the biggest headache. "The aircraft has performed better than expected," says crew chief Cpl Daniel Stratman. "We haven't had to replace any major parts like prop boxes...the main problem out here is getting the parts for this aircraft."

MV-22 of VMM-263 flies over Al Anbar province © USMC
PICTURE: US Marine Corps says V-22 Osprey performing well in Iraq

I was going to use this article to help out one of the Osprey suggestion threads but to my chagrin they were all locked.

~~G.Drew~~ · 02-08-2008, 08:23 PM

yeh i heard about this

BloodBane611 · 02-08-2008, 10:41 PM

Took them long enough, but glad to see they're starting to get somewhere.

Sabre_tooth_tigger · 07-26-2008, 12:13 PM

Posting up another article on this heli

THE HELICOPTER PAGE

gclark03 · 07-26-2008, 05:02 PM

This is nice, but when will the existing Osprey be fixed and released?

[R-MOD]Bob_Marley · 07-26-2008, 05:12 PM

Eh? The Osprey is out there, doing the job it was designed for. Looks like the V22 might be one of the few cold warriors to earn its keep...

ArthurF94 · 07-26-2008, 08:22 PM

I get to see one in Abbotsford!

rangedReCon · 07-26-2008, 09:14 PM

Abbotsford Air Show?

NickO · 07-26-2008, 09:36 PM

Pah, doubt they will have a chance against any good conventional army.

gclark03 · 07-26-2008, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gclark03

This is nice, but when will the existing Osprey be fixed and released?

The existing PR Osprey, I meant.

02-08-2008, 08:20 PM	#1
[R-CON]Clypp PR Contributor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ontario Posts: 2,054	US Marine Corps says V-22 Osprey performing well in Iraq Bell Boeing MV-22 Osprey tiltrotors have flown more than 1,400 combat sorties in Iraq since deploying to Al Anbar province in October, including the first aeroscout missions to hunt down insurgents, says the US Marine Corps. With some 2,000 flying hours logged in Iraq, the aircraft are maintaining an average mission-capable availability rate of 68.1%, The USMC says the MV-22 squadron in Iraq "has not missed a launch due to mechanical issues". The mission-capable rate for all USMC aircraft is 76% and the goal for the Osprey is be at 82% by 60,000h, the service says, addding that the entire MV-22 fleet is currently at about 30,000h. According to the Marines, the 10 MV-22Bs of medium tiltrotor squadron VMM-263 have taken over the full range of assault support missions from the Sikorsky CH-53Ds previously operated in Anbar province by HMH-363. MV-22 in Iraq - rotor tips glow with static energy © USMC These missions include battlefield circulation - moving officers and soldiers around the area of operations - governance missions carrying Iraqi official, pre-planned raids and roving aeroscout operations, as well as personnel recovery and casualty evacuation. "The area of operations has, in a number of way, highlighted the performance of the aircraft," says Lt Col Paul Rock, VMM-263 commanding officer. "Our area of operations is large and the aircraft's speed and range has been much appreciated." Rock says the Osprey's systems have enhanced the squadron's ability to perform desert landings in brownout conditions caused by rotor-blown sand, the aircraft's autopilot-coupled hover capability significantly increasing safety. As expected, maintenance has been the biggest headache. "The aircraft has performed better than expected," says crew chief Cpl Daniel Stratman. "We haven't had to replace any major parts like prop boxes...the main problem out here is getting the parts for this aircraft." MV-22 of VMM-263 flies over Al Anbar province © USMC PICTURE: US Marine Corps says V-22 Osprey performing well in Iraq I was going to use this article to help out one of the Osprey suggestion threads but to my chagrin they were all locked.
	Ongoing PR Projects: Canadian Forces RG-31 Nyala Armored Patrol Vehicle - Status: Importing Topographical minimaps - Status: Restarted![7/18]

02-08-2008, 10:41 PM	#3
BloodBane611 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: NJ USA Posts: 2,408	Took them long enough, but glad to see they're starting to get somewhere.
	PR SP 07 Installers Topographical Minimaps

07-26-2008, 12:13 PM	#4
Sabre_tooth_tigger Join Date: Jun 2007 Montserrat Posts: 1,469	Re: US Marine Corps says V-22 Osprey performing well in Iraq Posting up another article on this heli THE HELICOPTER PAGE

07-26-2008, 05:02 PM	#5
gclark03 Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 845	Re: US Marine Corps says V-22 Osprey performing well in Iraq This is nice, but when will the existing Osprey be fixed and released?
gclark03 Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 845	"Age and treachery always beat youth and skill."

07-26-2008, 05:12 PM	#6
[R-MOD]Bob_Marley Forum Moderator Join Date: May 2006 Yugoslavia Location: Essex, UK Posts: 4,519	Re: US Marine Corps says V-22 Osprey performing well in Iraq Eh? The Osprey is out there, doing the job it was designed for. Looks like the V22 might be one of the few cold warriors to earn its keep...
	The key to modernising any weapon is covering them in glue and tossing them in a barrel of M1913 rails until they look "Modern" enough. El_Vikingo: Bob_Marley, the level 70 pimp, will satisfy your needs. Many thanks to the Forum's no.1 hottie for the sig pretties.

02-08-2008, 08:23 PM	#2
~~G.Drew~~ Banned Join Date: Apr 2006 United Kingdom Location: Hamilton, Scotland Posts: 3,552	yeh i heard about this

07-26-2008, 08:22 PM	#7
ArthurF94 Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 9	Re: US Marine Corps says V-22 Osprey performing well in Iraq I get to see one in Abbotsford!
ArthurF94 Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 9	The will to fight for all the CRAZY NIGHTS!

07-26-2008, 09:14 PM	#8
rangedReCon Join Date: May 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 147	Re: US Marine Corps says V-22 Osprey performing well in Iraq Abbotsford Air Show?

07-26-2008, 09:36 PM	#9
NickO Join Date: May 2007 Sweden Location: Gothenburg Posts: 846	Re: US Marine Corps says V-22 Osprey performing well in Iraq Pah, doubt they will have a chance against any good conventional army.

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