JTF-Quartz Weapon System – CV-22 Osprey

Courtesy Photo | Under the direction of Joint Task Force - Quartz, a U.S. Air Force CV-22 Osprey lands in Somalia in support of Operation Octave Quartz Dec.18, 2020. The mission of OOQ is to reposition U.S. DOD personnel from Somalia to other locations in East Africa. The CV-22 Osprey is a tiltrotor aircraft that combines the vertical takeoff, hover and vertical landing qualities of a helicopter with the long-range, fuel efficiency and speed characteristics of a turboprop aircraft. (Courtesy Photo)  

SOMALIA

12.18.2020

Story by Bryan Franks 

Joint Task Force-Quartz

The CV-22 Osprey conducts air operations over Somalia under Joint Task Force – Quartz in support of Operation Octave Quartz. The mission of OOQ is to reposition U.S. Department of Defense personnel from Somalia to other locations in East Africa.
Mission
The CV-22 Osprey is a tiltrotor aircraft that combines the vertical takeoff, hover and vertical landing qualities of a helicopter with the long-range, fuel efficiency and speed characteristics of a turboprop aircraft. The mission of the CV-22 is to conduct long-range infiltration, exfiltration and resupply missions for special operations forces.
Features
This versatile, self-deployable aircraft offers increased speed and range over other rotary-wing aircraft, enabling Air Force Special Operations Command aircrews to execute long-range special operations missions. The CV-22 can perform missions that normally would require both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. The CV-22 takes off vertically and, once airborne, the nacelles (engine and prop-rotor group) on each wing can rotate into a forward position.
The CV-22 is equipped with integrated threat countermeasures, terrain-following radar, forward-looking infrared sensor and other systems that allow it to operate in various austere conditions.
Background
The CV-22 is the Special Operation Forces variant of the U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey. The first two test aircraft were delivered to Edwards Air Force Base, California in September 2000. The 58th Special Operations Wing at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico began CV-22 aircrew training with the first two production aircraft in August 2006.
The first operational CV-22 was delivered to Air Force Special Operations Command in January 2007. Initial operational capability was achieved in 2009. A total of 54 CV-22 aircraft are scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2021.
General characteristics
Primary function: Special operations forces long-range infiltration, exfiltration and resupply
Builders: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., Amarillo, Texas; Boeing Company, Defense and Space Group, Helicopter Division, Philadelphia
Deployment date: 2006
Propulsion: Two Rolls-Royce Liberty AE1107C engines
Thrust: more than 6,200 shaft horsepower per engine
Length: 57’ 4”
Height: 22’ 1”
Wingspan: 83’ 10”
Weight: maximum gross 60,500 pounds (self-deployment); 57,000 pounds (STOL); 52,600 (VTOL)
Speed: maximum 280 knots
Ceiling: 25,000 feet (7,620 meters)
Range: combat radius of 500 nautical miles with one internal auxiliary fuel tank
Crew: four (pilot, copilot and two flight engineers)
Program of Record: 54 aircraft for the Air Force
Rotor diameter: 38 feet
Armament: one .50-caliber machine gun on ramp
Payload: 24 personnel (seated), 32 personnel (floor loaded) or 10,000 pounds of cargo

• Date Taken: 12.18.2020
• Date Posted: 12.18.2020 04:05
• Story ID: 385289
• Location: SO