bell boeing bell boeing american multi mission military aircraft vertical takeoff landing short takeoff landing capabilities designed combine functionality conventional helicopter long range high speed cruise performance aircraft originated defense joint service vertical landing experimental aircraft program started team awarded development contract aircraft team jointly produce aircraft flew began flight testing design alterations complexity difficulties intended military service world led years development united_states marine_corps began crew training fielded supplemented replaced boeing operator fielded version entering service marine_corps air_force deployed transportation operations iraq afghanistan libya kuwait development origins failure iran hostage rescue mission demonstrated united_states military need new type aircraft land vertically carry combat troops speed began joint service vertical landing experimental aircraft program leadership defining mission marine_corps perform amphibious landing particularly interested program realized concentrated strike force vulnerable single nuclear weapon airborne solutions good speed range allowed significant dispersal wearing replacement threat merger marine_corps army similar president proposal following world war navy administration project congressional pressure eventually proved marine_corps given lead combined requirements marine_corps air_force army navy request proposals issued december preliminary design work interest expressed lockheed contractors encouraged form teams bell partnered submit proposal enlarged version prototype february proposal received preliminary design contract awarded april aircraft designated january march prototypes produced expanded deal project workload work split evenly bell boeing wing drive system tail surfaces aft ramp engines performs final assembly fuselage cockpit flight controls variant received designation variant received reversed normal procedure prevent marine_corps having conflicting designation aircraft carriers scale development tilt aircraft began partnership awarded billion contract aircraft point military services acquisition plans versions rolled significant media attention project suffered blows year left program citing need focus budget immediate aviation programs project survived separate votes senate resulted cancellation despite senate decision instructed spend money projected development budget greatly increased defense secretary tried remove funding effort cancel eventually overruled congress provided funding program multiple studies alternatives found provided capability combat effectiveness similar operating costs supportive helped attain funding flight testing design changes prototypes flew march helicopter mode september fixed wing mode fourth prototypes successfully completed sea trials uss wasp december fourth fifth prototypes crashed october april bell boeing redesigned reduce weight manufacture reduce production costs redesigned version model flights resumed june safety improvements incorporated prototypes awarded contract engineering manufacturing development phase june prototypes received changes better match model configuration flight testing stage focused expanding flight envelope measuring flight loads supporting redesign flight testing early continued flight testing scale development began early pre production delivered naval air warfare test center naval air station river maryland flight took place february testing fell schedule low rate initial production aircraft ordered april delivered number completed program second sea trials time january external load testing april boeing lift transport light weight fatal crashes killing total marines aircraft grounded cause crashes investigated parts redesigned changes hardware software procedures response hydraulic fires vortex ring state control issues opposed landings completed final operational evaluation june evaluation included long range deployments high altitude desert operations deemed successful problems identified accidents reportedly addressed worked software upgrades increase maximum speed knots mph knots mph increase helicopter mode altitude limit feet feet feet increase lift performance implementation upgrades began september proved largely effective october tested rolling landings carrier preparing carrier onboard delivery controversy development process long controversial partly large cost increases caused requirement fold wing fit aboard ships development budget planned billion increased projected billion billion spent program billion required complete planned production numbers estimated lifetime cost maintaining grew percent allocated maintenance support production costs considerably greater helicopters equivalent capability specifically twice great greater ability carry heavy equipment unit cost million produce million helicopter equivalent lieutenant colonel commander squadron relieved duty allegations instructed unit maintenance records aircraft appear reliable total officers later implicated having played role scandal october ran article condemning unsafe completely inadequate marine_corps responded arguing parts article data dated obsolete inaccurate reflected expectations high new field aircraft reported controversial defense industry supported average rate flight hour past years approximately half average accident rate fleet accident rate lowest marine reported safety record achieved excluding ground incidents responded reporting standards aircraft reported readiness rate risen percent inspector general later found reports recorded information captain blamed errors incompetence said deliberate required mission capable rate average june aimed reliability rate readiness rates rose percent high 80s cost flight hour dropped percent rigorous maintenance improvement program focused problems failures occur requires higher maintenance lower availability traditional helicopters lower rate average cost flight hour cost flight hour ownership cost hour technically capable engines fail helicopter mode safe landing difficult director pentagon testing office stated loss power feet emergency landings likely pilot captain stated turn plane like complete loss power requires engines fail engine power drive shafts vortex ring state contributed deadly accident flight testing found aircraft susceptible condition conventional helicopters report stated conventional helicopters phenomenon test flights explore characteristics canceled trains pilots recognition recovery instituted operational envelope limits instrumentation help pilots avoid conditions production september pentagon formally approved rate production planned rate increase year year total planned air_force navy average cost million aircraft including development costs cost million aircraft hoped million cost year production contract cost million budget april awarded million contract design integrated response add new network capabilities provide upgrade includes awareness late contract upgrades awarded february marine_corps received block aircraft feature new radar additional mission management electronic warfare equipment marines investigate options upgrade models order boost availability june awarded billion contract bell boeing production lots including marine_corps work expected completed september provision gives option order combined cost june contract associated contracts order totaled billion reportedly hoping sell internationally interested nations identified prospective customers included israel japan bell began lay workers production line following implementation defense cuts reduced order half originally planned number aircraft production rate went planned manufacturing robots replaced older automated machines increased accuracy efficiency production large parts held place cups measured raw materials arrive frozen march issued develop armor protect passengers worked florida based composite armor company develop deliver advanced stopping system october costing consists plates fitting interior bulkheads deck adding aircraft weight affecting range installed removed needed hours partially assembled pieces partial protection specific areas kits delivered set pennsylvania gather information aircraft improve fleet performance similar manner design overview world production aircraft bladed engine transmission mounted classified powered lift aircraft takeoff landing typically operates helicopter vertical horizontal airborne rotate forward little seconds horizontal flight converting fuel efficient higher speed aircraft rolling takeoff landing capability achieved having forward possible ferry range nmi operational range nmi composite materials airframe blades use storage fold seconds wing align fuselage requirement folding foot diameter feet optimal vertical takeoff resulting high disk loading missions use fixed wing flight time reducing wear tear operational costs fixed wing flight higher typical helicopter missions allowing longer range line sight communications improved command control heat engines potentially damage flight decks ships devised temporary fix portable heat shields placed engines determined long term solution require decks heat resistant coating passive thermal barriers ship structure changes similar changes required operations requested solutions installing robust flight deck cooling heat resistant anti material called tested uss wasp engines rolls engines connected drive shafts common central gearbox engine power engine failure occurs september announced increased engine power percent adoption new increase fuel valve flow capacity accompanying software updates upgrade increase reliability high altitude high heat conditions boost maximum limitations block upgrade reportedly examined increase power percent producing close improve fuel consumption august military issued request information potential drop replacement engines submissions power rating shp rpm operate degrees degrees fit existing wings minimal structural external modifications september navy considering contracting alternative engine supplier order reduce costs program navy purchases engines separately aircraft general electric considered replacement providing engine power wing generally capable engine gearbox fails engines stopped emergency landing aircraft characteristics poor partly low maximum speed knots knots lower limit hurricane usually prevents usage starboard door instead rear ramp boeing stated design loses percent vertical lift design operating helicopter mode resistance wings design better short takeoff landing performance maintain vertical separation avoid wake cause potentially lead loss control equipped glass cockpit incorporates multi function displays compatible night vision shared display images including imagery primary flight instruments navigation gps ins system status flight director panel allows fully coupled functions aircraft forward flight pilot interaction programming system glass cockpit canceled derived fuselage personnel wear board oxygen masks feet triple redundant fly wire flight control systems aircraft damage control automatically damaged elements pointing straight conversion mode flight computers command aircraft fly like helicopter forces applied conventional hub airplane mode rudder elevator fly aircraft like airplane gradual transition occurs rotation range lower greater effect airplane mode control surfaces rotate past vertical flight use jump orientation takeoff quickly achieve high altitude speed aspects flight automated simplified control system low wind hands controls according flown aircraft fixed wing pilots unlike helicopter experience trained constantly adjust controls armament armed caliber machine gun caliber machine gun loading ramp fired ramp lowered barrel gun mounted nose studied future upgrade developed belly mounted remotely operated gun turret system named remotely operated gunner inside aircraft targets separate pod color television forward looking infrared imagery installed half deployed afghanistan found limited use weight restrictive rules engagement available marine_corps june system fired combat routinely escorted helicopter close air support aircraft allowing focus transport role squadrons flew belly gun added weight reduced cargo carrying capacity speed means supporting conventional helicopters requiring self defense capability long range missions operate independently infrared gun camera proven valuable reconnaissance surveillance weapons studied provide quadrant defensive weapon system including nose guns door guns work current ramp mounted machine gun revealed plans new weapons increase axis stand precision capabilities potentially operated additional crew members armament increases enhanced offensive capabilities special purpose marine rapid crisis response task forces attack platform adapted precision weapons including griffin ground missile fuselage based clear november bell boeing conducted self funded weapons tests equipped small port fuselage camera replaced laser rockets guided rockets griffin missiles fired flights seek nose mounted weapon connected helmet mounted sight integrating desired forward facing gun weapons fuselage carry munitions capability boeing developing roll roll aerial kit ability refuel aircraft having aerial capability based wasp class amphibious assault ships increase striking power rely assets based sized class aircraft carriers land bases roll roll kit applicable intelligence surveillance reconnaissance functions boeing funded non functional demonstration aircraft prototype kit successfully tested september high speed version system designed deployed mph function mph onboard tanks roll roll contain fuel operator open ramp extend raise ramp extended ramp door left open refuel wing aircraft require separate specifically helicopters partially converted bell boeing hoping funding additional testing include contact receiver eventually passage fuel marine_corps ground vehicles run aviation fuel service late stated operational navy declared firm interest use aerial system planned fleet february boeing confirmed sign development contract marine_corps system quarter boeing conducted internally financed proof concept roll roll capability anticipated contract providing funds kit operational allow recovery tanker aircraft land amphibious ships need additional fuel wait available deck space operational history march conducted marine_corps crew training june marine_corps helicopter squadron stood transition december lieutenant general commander accepted delivery fleet delivered unit reactivated march squadron redesignated march north_carolina reached initial operational capability marine_corps june replacing sea knight retired october july landed aboard royal_navy aircraft carrier time landed vessel april marine_corps announced combat deployment iraq september left iraq aboard uss wasp decision use ship instead self deploying concerns north_atlantic portion trip lack available mid air wasp availability arrival iraq western province cargo troop movements scout missions general military commander iraq visit troops iraq christmas day presidential candidate barack_obama tour iraq obtaining spare parts proved problematic july flown sorties totaling hours iraq general iii praised increased speed range legacy helicopters stating turned battle space size texas size rhode_island fired times man portable air defense systems small arms lost enemy fire study reported january operating iraq completed assigned missions mission capable rates averaged overall mission capable rate report stated aircraft shown weakness awareness maintenance operations transport capability study concluded deployments confirmed enhanced speed range enable personnel internal cargo transported faster farther possible legacy helicopters replacing deployed afghanistan november saw offensive combat mission operation cobra anger december assisted marines troops southern afghanistan disrupt communication supply lines february marine commandant general indicated deployed afghanistan surpassed flight hours noted airplane close airplane marine_corps inventory january sent haiti operation unified response relief efforts earthquake type humanitarian mission march participated mission rescue downed crew member operation odyssey dawn following operation neptune spear body founder terrorist group flown aircraft carrier prior burial sea received communications seating modifications support marine presidential transport squadron urgent need afghanistan august debut secret service agents white_house staff press members martha president vacation boeing announced plans submit presidential transport replacement japanese politicians okinawa residents opposed deployment japan july mainly high profile accidents june landed coast california time landed japan maritime self defense force vessel january landed aboard french class amphibious assault ship marine landed march marking landing amphibious ship august completed longest distance mission date flying okinawa alongside tanker aircraft flew philippines august darwin australia august australia august finally august formed intercontinental response force special purpose marine air ground task force crisis response africa equipped outfitted specialized communications equipment following 3rd deployed philippines disaster relief operations capabilities described uniquely relevant able fly faster greater moving essential supplies remote sites island archipelago deployment afghanistan set conclude late combat operations directed extend operations new role casualty evacuation better suited helicopters speed better enabled casualties reach hospital golden hour fitted medical equipment heart monitors basic supplies supported time critical effort virus epidemic flying people cargo november placed alert air base kuwait ready minutes recover downed pilots military intervention occasions november april aerial tanker assigned trap mission spent flight hours ready perform rescue missions required pilot downed radio ejected landed close forces air_force operational delivered special operations wing air force base new_mexico march subsequent aircraft fleet aircraft training pilots crew members special operations use november air_force officially accepted ceremony conducted field florida air_force non training mission perform search rescue october operational deployment sent november support flew nonstop florida flight declared 8th reached march service june 8th delivered pounds humanitarian supplies remote villages honduras accessible conventional vehicles november 8th squadron returned month deployment iraq august found wake modeling inadequate trailing aircraft accurate safe separation preceding aircraft december came small arms fire mission evacuate american civilians south political crisis aircraft damaged crew wounded mission aborted aircraft flew south officials stated attackers rebels 8th flown countries nmi formation hit times causing flight control failures hydraulic fuel leaks aircraft fuel leaks multiple air air performed route following south incident developed optional armor floor panels july aircraft carried eastern syria islamic state held american hostages quickly eliminated site found hostages moved returned home handed air_force looking perform combat search rescue addition primary long range special operations transport mission act complement air force hawk planned rescue helicopters employed scenarios ability cover ground quickly better suited search rescue slower helicopters potential operators united_states navy potentially employ search rescue transport anti submarine warfare roles program included navy ordered proposal replace carrier onboard delivery duties specific advantage role ability deliver supplies people non carriers ships helicopter range landed onboard evaluation october cargo handling trials took place proponents said capable similar speed capacity lift performance carry greater short ranges carry suspended external loads land carriers requiring distribution smaller vessels helicopters certified operating amphibious ships aircraft carriers logistics ships roles helicopters fitted ramp cabin configuration non patients seats medical boeing designed special frame carry lockheed engine ships bell boeing pitched navy platform missions communications electronic warfare aerial navy known gap tactical aerial currently handled air force delivery systems january navy marines signed memorandum understanding buy mission confirmed navy budget initially designated aircraft initially bought year navy variant incorporate extended range fuel system high frequency radio horizon communications public address system communicate passengers range nmi carrying marines navy requirement nmi range lower passenger capacity february navy officially designated variant primary mission long range aerial logistics mission sets include personnel recovery special warfare navy program record originally called aircraft later determined required production begin start deliveries version come equipped extra fuel extend range india arc interested acquiring purposes personnel evacuation hostile conditions supplies deployment border india seen utility relief operations april earthquake deal worth million elements looked early warning control replace short range israel israel shown interest israel reportedly favored israel interested support special operations search rescue missions israel reportedly interested possible lease aircraft special operations missions type act replacement existing april agreement finalized sell israeli aircraft moved production queue jumping ahead deliveries expected arrive early aircraft special operations rescue missions initial order aircraft cost billion including additional equipment support israel interested doubling purchase aircraft october media reports indicated israel budget restraints changing policies december letter agreement offering million early delivery formally expired defense minister having decided wait elections march push approval new cabinet japan defense minister ordered investigation costs operations exceeds current helicopters terms range speed ministry deployments multinational cooperation japan considering plans service maritime role early november officially decided deliveries planned january japan parliament approved defense budget funding south_korea february showed interest delivering special forces islands near north korean territory talks held possible buy reported final negotiation stages purchase intends use support special forces pentagon seek million unit cost november selected variant search rescue use denies negotiations variants scale development aircraft flight testing unofficially considered variants redesign variant conducts long range special operations missions equipped extra wing fuel tanks terrain following radar equipment fuel capacity increased gallons wing tanks auxiliary tanks gal added cabin replaced low variant marine_corps lead service development marine_corps variant assault transport troops equipment supplies capable operating ships expeditionary airfields ashore replaced fleets variant carrier onboard delivery role similar includes extended range fuel system high frequency radio public address system proposed airborne early warning control variant royal_navy studied variant replacement current fleet carrier based helicopters considered provide combat search rescue delivery special warfare teams fleet support transport chose role lists variants proposed anti submarine warfare variant studied 1980s replace aircraft operators japan japan self defense forces order united_states united_states 20th flight test squadron united states marine notable accidents seven hull loss accidents total fatalities testing crashes resulting fatalities operational crashes resulting fatalities minor incidents aircraft accident history generated controversy perceived safety issues aircraft display prototypes display pennsylvania ohio specifications data boeing bell guide fact sheet general characteristics crew pilot flight engineers crew chiefs capacity troops seated troops floor loaded internal cargo external cargo dual hook light internally ground vehicle length diameter wingspan width height overall vertical disc area wing area weight loaded weight max takeoff weight self deploy long runway maximum rolling takeoff weight maximum vertical takeoff weight powerplant rolls liberty performance maximum speed knots mph sea level mph cruise speed mph sea level stall speed mph airplane mode range nmi combat radius nmi ferry range nmi auxiliary internal fuel tanks service ceiling rate climb min ratio disc loading power mass armament machine gun machine gun ramp belly mounted retractable video remote control optional notable appearances media appearances fiction fictional based aircraft respectively
Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey