The Bell-Boeing V-22 fleet has reached a milestone, achieving 500,000 flight hours. The world’s only production tiltrotor aircraft, V-22 supports the US Air Force Special Operations Command and the US Marine Corps to conduct diverse missions in difficult operating environments.
“The V-22 remains one of the most sought-after capabilities in the Department of Defense as seen in this monumental milestone,” said Josh Lash, Vice President of US Marine Corps/US Coast Guard Customer Business. “Since inception it has been a game-changing platform that provides tremendous capability to the Marine Corps and US Air Force Special Operations Command.”
The V-22 Osprey is powered by the Rolls-Royce AE 1107C engine, part of the AE engine line that began as a powerplant for the V-22 tiltrotor aircraft. Derivatives of the engine soon found their way onto other aircraft as a result of their power, adaptability and dependable design. The combined AE engine fleet has totalled more than 77 million engine flight hours of proven, dependable service in military and commercial aircraft.
“Rolls-Royce takes great pride in powering this revolutionary aircraft and remains committed to providing superior service and support to the Marines and Air Commandos that fly and maintain them,” Lash said.
More than 375 Ospreys, including the US Air Force CV-22 and the US Marine Corps MV-22, logged the flight hours for this impressive achievement. Recently, the V-22 was deployed to the Bahamas to assist in the relief efforts following Hurricane Dorian.
“The V-22 provides unmatched capability for the U.S. Marines and U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command,” said U.S. Marine Corps Col. Matthew Kelly, V-22 Joint Program Manager. “The platform’s influence on our nation’s defense is seen through its extensive operational and humanitarian impact across the globe.”
AE 1107C product information