Photo By Matthew Callahan | An MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 166 hovers in "helicopter mode"...... read more read more
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The squadron is attached to the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit on a deployment to the West Pacific. Making a stop in Hawaii allowed the squadron to showcase the aircraft, the first full production tilt-rotor airframe in aviation, and to put to rest any doubts about the aircraft’s excellent safety record and environmental impact.
“With the airframe’s first arrival to the air station, we wanted to expose the aircraft to the Marines here and the local community,” said Lt. Col. Kevin Duffy, commanding officer of and pilot with VMM-166. “We’re here to showcase (the aircraft’s) capabilities. It’s the first production tilt-rotor aircraft designed, combining the vertical take off ability of a helicopter, with the speed of a fixed-wing aircraft.”
The MV-22B has been called a “game changer” in the execution of troop and cargo transport, taking up to 24 Marines five times farther than previous rotor-wing aircraft at twice the speed, according to Duffy. The aircraft can speed up to 280 knots (322 miles per hour) and has an operational range of 350 miles with the ability to mid-air refuel, further extending the MV-22Bs operational reach.
Beginning initial operational capability in 2007, the MV-22B has deployed to the Middle East to support combat operations in both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom and also to support MEUs. Since its IOC, the MV-22B has been heralded as one of the safest airframes in the Marine Corps.
Two squadrons of 12 MV-22B aircraft, totaling 24 airframes, are slated to arrive at MCAS Kaneohe Bay between 2015 and 2016. Most of the aircraft’s flying will be done in airplane mode, creating a significant reduction in noise and duration of noise compared to its traditional rotor-winged counterparts, according to Duffy.
Two of the aircraft were set up as static displays for visitors to explore. Guests were granted the opportunity to take flight with the Marines of the squadron. the first flight consisted of “distinguished visitors,” and the second flight was reserved for the media.
While in flight with the squadron, guests and media had the opportunity to experience the various capabilities of the airframe, including rolling take offs, vertical touch down and take offs, hovering and cruising at 220 knots (253 mph), banking and turning.
Sergeant Cody Ricketts, an airframes mechanic with VMM-166, worked on CH-46 airframes before moving to the Osprey.
“I’ve been working on this aircraft for five years, and it’s got a lot of power,” Ricketts said. “It can’t carry as much weight as the CH-53E, but it can fly a lot faster and farther."
| Date Taken: | 08.29.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 09.06.2013 20:07 |
| Story ID: | 113239 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION KANEOHE BAY, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 95 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, Ospreys visit MCB Hawaii, demonstrate capabilities, by Matthew Callahan, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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