[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 46 (Wednesday, April 12, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H2187-H2190]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRAGIC LOSS OF U.S. MARINES
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, this past Saturday
evening, we suffered a tragic loss in America when a Marine Corps V-22
Osprey crashed in a test mode and killed all 19 Marines on board the
aircraft, a tragic loss of life.
All America has joined with the Commandant of the Marine Corps,
General Jones; the leaders in the Pentagon; and the President in
mourning the loss of these brave Americans.
This tragic incident is now under full investigation. Today I
arranged for a full briefing for our colleagues where the Marine Corps
presented a full up-to-date assessment as to what has taken place, what
facts we know about the incident, and what initial thoughts are
occurring in terms of what caused the accident.
It is obviously too early to tell, but we expect that within a few
weeks we will know the basis upon which a decision can be made about
the cause of this terribly tragic accident.
But, Madam Speaker, before we even removed all of the remains of
these brave Marines, we have political opportunists around the country
taking shots at the program and making wild and outlandish statements.
One such person, Madam Speaker, is a former Reagan Republican
officeholder who served as Assistant Secretary of Defense by the name
of Lawrence Korb. Mr. Korb wrote an op-ed in The New York Times on
April 11 that is filled with misinformation factually incorrect, is a
disservice to the Marine Corps, and to all brave Americans who wear the
colors of this Nation.
He is the defense equivalent of an ambulance chaser. Before the
investigation has even begun, he is trashing what General Jones calls
the number-one priority of the Marine Corps, a capability to replace an
aircraft, the CH-46 helicopter, that is 50 years old, was built for the
Vietnam War, and which is suffering severe problems because of its age
and because of its extended use well beyond the original life
expectancy of the program.
In his article, Mr. Korb makes some gross statements that really are
a disservice to the Corps and to all brave Marines serving this
country. He says that this program was objected to by all senior
officials from the Reagan, Bush, and Clinton administrations. That is
absolutely incorrect. In fact, it was former Navy Secretary John Dalton
would led the fight to keep the V-22 Osprey program alive for the
Marine Corps and eventually all of our services.
He says in an article that these aircraft cost $80 million each.
When, if he would have checked his facts, he would have found that the
cost is closer to $40 million per copy and would be lower if we were
buying an adequate buy of these aircraft as opposed to having them
stretched out at a very low-rate buy. He assesses that Congress only
supported the saving of this program because of the jobs that would be
retained in America.
Well, I would say to Mr. Korb, either get his facts straight or keep
his mouth shut. In fact, it was General Al Gray, the Commandant of the
Marine Corps, who testified before Congress that he would never subject
his warriors to what the opponents of the V-22 called a dual-sling
option.
They said we will bolt two helicopters together and we will ask
Marines to fly in those two helicopters to achieve the medium range
over the rising capability that the V-22 offers.
Madam Speaker, the kind of rhetoric coming from people like Lawrence
Korb is really a disgrace to the American service person and Mr. Korb
ought to be ashamed of himself.
What we now need is, first of all, to mourn these families of these
brave Marines. We need to let them know that we are going to do
everything possible to take care of them and their loved ones and we
are going to get to the bottom of what caused this incident. We will
overturn every stone and we will use every bit of capability that we
have to find out the cause of this terribly tragic accident. And we
will relay this information to the families first, to Members of
Congress, and then to the American public.
And then once we have all that have data, we will make a decision, we
will make a decision based upon information and facts, not rhetoric to
allow some columnist to score political points in the New York Times.
Madam Speaker, for the Record, I insert the following news release of
the Marine Corps dated April 9; the statement of General Fred McCorkle,
Deputy Chief of Staff for Aviation for the Marine Corps, dated April
11; and an updated information packet on the mishap, dated April 11 so
that the American people can see the real facts of what occurred here
as opposed to listening to incompetent people like Lawrence Korb.
[News Release, U.S. Marine Corps, April 9, 2000]
MV-22 Mishap Investigation
Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, DC.--The Marine
Corps is sending an aircraft mishap investigation team,
headed by Colonel Dennis Bartels of Headquarters, Marine
Corps, to Marana, AZ to determine the cause of Saturday
night's crash of an MV-22 Osprey that took the lives of all
19 Marines aboard.
``The entire Marine Corps family grieves for the Marines
we've lost in this tragedy and our thoughts and prayers go
out to their families,'' said Gen. James Jones, Commandant of
the Marine Corps. ``We have sent an expert team to Arizona to
quickly investigate the circumstances surrounding this
mishap.''
Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig today released the
following statement, ``Evaluating new equipment and training
for war, like war itself, puts life at risk. In peace and
war, Marines accept that risk--it is a bond between us. In
that spirit, we grieve today for our nineteen lost Marines
and embrace their families.''
The MV-22 was conducting a training mission in support of
Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL) when it went down near
Marana, AZ. During the mission, the crew and Marines
conducted Non-combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO) exercises
as part of the Weapons and Tactics Instructor course, with
Marines embarking and disembarking the aircraft. The mission
was conducted at night utilizing night vision goggles (NVGs)
and forward-looking infrared radar (FLIR) to enhance night
operational capability.
Operational Evaluation is a test phase to determine the
operational suitability of the aircraft for the Marine Corps.
It began in October 1999 and is scheduled to conclude in June
2000.
To date, the four Ospreys involved in Operational
Evaluation have completed more than 800 flight hours. During
March, the OPEVAL aircraft flew nearly 140 flight hours, an
average of 35 hours per aircraft.
The mishap aircraft was part of the Multi-service
Operational Test Team, based at Patuxent River, MD, but was
temporarily attached to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics
Squadron-1 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, AZ.
The names of the deceased are being withheld pending
notification of next of kin.
____
[News Release, U.S. Marine Corps, April 9, 2000]
Names of Accident Victims Released
Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, DC.--Marine Corps
officials are expressing condolences to the families of 19
Marines killed approximately 8 p.m. last night when an MV-22
Osprey crashed near Marana, Ariz.
[[Page H2188]]
Killed in the accident were:
Sgt. Jose Alvarez, 28, a machinegunner assigned to 3d
Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, of
Uvalde, Texas.
Maj. John A. Brow, 39, a pilot assigned to Marine
Helicopter Squadron-1, of California, Md.
PFC Gabriel C. Clevenger, 21, a machinegunner assigned to
3d Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, of
Picher, Okla.
PFC Alfred Corona, 23, a machinegunner assigned to 3d
Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, of San
Antonio, Texas.
Lance Corporal Jason T. Duke, 28, a machinegunner assigned
to 3d Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, of
Sacramento, Calif.
Lance Corporal Jesus Gonzales Sanchez, 27, an assaultman
assigned to 3d Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine
Division, of San Diego, Calif.
Maj. Brooks S. Gruber, 34, a pilot assigned to Marine
Helicopter Squadron-1, of Jacksonville, NC.
Lance Corporal Seth G. Jones, 18, an assaultman assigned to
3d Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, of
Bend, Ore.
2nd Lieutenant Clayton J. Kennedy, 24, a platoon commander
assigned to 3d Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine
Division, of Clifton Bosque, Texas.
Cpl. Kelly S. Keith, 22, aircraft crew chief assigned to
Marine Helicopter Squadron-1, of Florence, SC.
Cpl. Eric J. Martinez, 21, a field radio operator assigned
to Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38, Marine Air Control
Group 38, of Coconino, Ariz.
Lance Corporal Jorge A. Morin, 21, an assaultman assigned
to 3d Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, of
McAllen, Texas.
Corporal Adam C. Neely, 22, a rifleman assigned to 3d
Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, of
Winthrop, Wash.
Staff Sgt. William B. Nelson, 30, a satellite
communications specialist with Marine Air Control Group-38,
of Richmond, Va.
PFC Kenneth O. Paddio, 23, a rifleman assigned to 3d
Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, of
Houston, Texas.
PFC George P. Santos, 19, a rifleman assigned to 3d
Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, of Long
Beach, Calif.
PFC Keoki P. Santos, 24, a rifleman assigned to 3d
Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, of Grand
Ronde, Ore.
Corporal Can Soler, 21, a rifleman assigned to 3d
Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, of Palm
City, Fla.
Pvt. Adam L. Tatro, 19, a rifleman assigned to 3d
Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, of
Brownwood, Texas.
``The entire Marine Corps family grieves for the Marines
we've lost in this tragedy and our thoughts and prayers go
out to their families,'' said Gen. James Jones, Commandant of
the Marine Corps. ``We have sent an expert team to Arizona to
quickly investigate the circumstances surrounding this
mishap.''
Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig today released the
following statement, ``Evaluating new equipment and training
for war, like war itself, puts life at risk. In peace and
war, Marines accept that risk--it is a bond between us. In
that spirit, we grieve today for our nineteen lost Marines
and embrace their families.''
The MV-22 was conducting a training mission in support of
Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL) when it went down near
Marana, Ariz. During the mission, the crew and Marines
conducted Non-combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) exercises
as part of the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course, with
Marines embarking and disembarking the aircraft. The mission
was conducted at night utilizing night vision goggles and
forward-looking infrared radar to enhance night operational
capability.
Operational Evaluation is a test phase to determine the
operational suitability of the aircraft for the Marine Corps.
It began in October 1999 and is scheduled to conclude in June
2000.
To date, the four Ospreys involved in Operational
Evaluation have completed more than 800 flight hours. During
March, the OPEVAL aircraft flew nearly 140 flight hours, an
average of 35 hours per aircraft.
The mishap aircraft was part of the Multi-service
Operational Test Team, based at Patuxent River, Md., but was
temporarily attached to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics
Squadron-1 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz.
____
Prepared Statement on MV-22 Mishap by LtGen Fred McCorkle, Headquarters
Marine Corps (April 11, 2000)
First and foremost, I would like to say that our thoughts
and prayers are with the families of our Marines who were
tragically taken from us Saturday night. Obviously, there are
no words that can express our sadness and sense of loss in
this situation. Our Marine Corps is a tight-knit family, and
each of us feels the loss of these Marines. We are with the
families now and we will continue to assist them in the
difficult days ahead. Our number one concern at this time is
their well-being.
While the mishap is currently under investigation, there
are some things I would like to relay to you and then I will
answer whatever questions I can.
The Commandant has sent Col Dennis Bartels from our staff
to lead the expert investigation team. I spoke with Col
Bartels last night and he has assured me that the
investigation is well underway. There is, however, no
determination at this time as to the cause of the mishap. Let
me emphatically state that we are committed to finding the
truth. One thing I want to clarify from my comments
yesterday, the incident was observed on an F/A-18 FLIR but it
was not videotaped.
The aircraft was the second in a flight of two aircraft
conducting a simulated evacuation operation. It was one of
four MV-22s participating in this exercise to support
Operational Evaluations (OpEval). OpEval is a DOD requirement
specifically designed to validate an aircraft's operational
capability to support USMC missions. It requires flights in
operational configurations to include flights with embarked
troops.
Our most precious asset is our Marines and their welfare is
the primary concern of all Marines in leadership positions.
Numerous senior service members and members of Congress have
flown in the aircraft. I have flown the aircraft and believe
it to be safe. It is important to stress that the MV-22 is
not an experimental test aircraft. The MV-22 is a proven
technology. The Osprey has already completed extensive flight
testing that included:
Almost 1200 flight hours of Full Scale Development (1-6),
and
1600 flight hours of Engineering/Manufacturing Development
(7-10).
The mishap aircraft was one of five production aircraft
delivered to the Marine Corps for operational use. The four
aircraft participating in OpEval, all delivered in the past
11 months, have accumulated over 840 flight hours conducting
operational flights in support of OpEval. This particular
aircraft was delivered to the Marine Corps in January of this
year and had been flown over 135 hours to date. The total
amount of flight time accumulated by MV-22s to date is over
3600 hours.
The two pilots flying the aircraft were very experienced,
veteran pilots from Marine Helicopter Squadron One. One had
nearly 3800 hours and the other had over 2100 hours. Both
pilots were approaching 100 hours of flight time in the MV-22
and had over 100 MV-22 simulator hours. Additionally, the
aircraft was crewed by two of our very finest enlisted
Marines.
The aircraft is equipped with a Crash Survivable Memory
Unit (CSMU) that records 227 separate aircraft parameters
that should provide invaluable insight into the cause of this
mishap. These parameters include aircraft performance data
(airspeed, altitude, heading, etc), engine performance data
and information on any potential system malfunctions
indicated. Efforts to retrieve this component from the
aircraft are ongoing.
We are distributing a photo of the Marana Northwest
Regional Airport that depicts the intended point of landing
for the flight of the two aircraft involved. This package
also contains a data sheet and information relating to the
exercise being conducted.
Throughout this tragic and challenging time, we have been
supported by a number of local law enforcement agencies, fire
departments and National Guard and reserve units in Arizona.
The American Red Cross continues to provide support on the
scene. We truly appreciate their superb support in these
efforts to take care of our Marines.
Our work as Marines comes with some danger and risks, but
we strive to do everything we can to minimize those risks. As
Secretary Danzig so aptly stated Sunday, ``Evaluating new
equipment and training for war, like war itself, puts life at
risk. In peace and war, Marines accept that risk--it is a
bond between us. In that spirit we grieve today for our lost
Marines.''
Finally, I would like to conclude by again saying that our
thoughts and prayers are with the families of our fallen
Marines. We are taking care of the families now and will
continue to assist them in every way possible in the
difficult days ahead. I will now answer what questions I can
at this point.
____
MV-22 Mishap Information
The MV-22 mishap occurred approximately 8 p.m. Saturday
night 8 April when a MV-22 Osprey crashed near Tucson,
Arizona. The MV-22 was conducting a training mission in
support of Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL). Aircraft was
second aircraft in two ship flight inbound Marana Northwest
Regional Airport (encl 1) about 15 miles NW of Tucson,
Arizona. The landing site was a hard surface concrete pad
area, free of obstacles and parallel to a 6,900' runway.
Safety personnel had conducted a safety site survey and a
daytime landing there to ensure suitability.
This mishap aircraft was part of the Multi-service
Operational Test Team (MOTT), based at Patuxent River, Md.,
but was temporarily attached to Marine Aviation Weapons and
Tactics Squadron-1 (MAWTS-1) at Marine Corps Air station
Yuma, Ariz. OPEVAL commenced in November 1999 with planned
completion data of June 2000. OPEVAL is being conducted by
the MOTT under the auspices of Commanding Officer, HMX-1, the
Marine Corps' aviation OPEVAL agency. In this capacity, CO,
HMX-1 reports to Commander Operational Test and Evaluation
Force. OPEVAL determines aircraft effectiveness and
suitability and must be conducted to the maximum extent
possible under the most realistic conditions (DOD 5000.2).
[[Page H2189]]
During the mission, the crew and Marines conducted Non-
combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO) exercises as part of
the Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) Course, with Marines
embarking and disembarking the aircraft. The mission profile
called for the utilization of the latest version of Night
Vision Goggles, (ANVIS-9) and Forward-Looking Infrared Radar
to enhance night operational capability. Flight was
undertaken in good weather conditions with 17 percent
illumination. The flight also served as a training vehicle
for the MAWTS current WTI course designated as Assault
Support Mission 3 (encl 2). Non-aircrew personnel aboard were
part of the Evacuation Control Center for the simulated NEO.
The mishap aircraft was not an experimental aircraft. The
aircraft was the fourth of five production aircraft delivered
to the Marine Corps. Formal developmental testing of the MV-
22 was conducted on the Full Scale Development aircraft
(aircraft 1-6) flying 1184 flt hrs and the Engineering and
Manufacturing Development aircraft (aircraft 7-10) flying
1600 flt hrs. The mishap aircraft was a Low Rate Initial
Production aircraft (aircraft 11-15). The LRIP aircraft have
flown a total of 840 flt hrs conducting operational/mission
training and evaluation. The MV-22 fleet have flown a total
of 3624 flt hrs. The mishap aircraft had flown 135.5 flight
hrs since it was delivered to the Marine Corps on 17 Jan 00.
The two previous MV-22 testing mishaps demonstrated the
risks inherent in any flight test development program, but
the mishap causes were not unique to ``tiltrotor
technology.'' The last mishap was in July 1992. The
identified design deficiencies were corrected and
incorporated in all production aircraft. The MV-22 fleet has
flown over 2400 hours (2/3 of all hours) since the last
mishap in 1992.
A complete Aviation Mishap Board (AMB) has been convened in
Tucson under in accordance with OPNAVINST 3750 under the
direction of Col Dennis Bartels from Dept of Avn, HQMC. Team
is being supported by joint agencies and the entire Naval
Aviation establishment.
Although MV-22s have not been grounded by Commander Naval
Air Systems Command, operations have been suspended in order
to evaluate the current situation and determine the most
appropriate course of action and safe flight operations.
REMAINS--8 Remains had been recovered by 1500, 11 April 2000
--The recovery of remains will be done as quickly as
possible given the circumstances and requirements to properly
identify the Marines and preserve evidence at the crash site.
--15 Aviation Mishap Board personnel on scene.
--15 Naval Aviation Center Personnel on scene.
--Human Resources Personnel from Davis-Monthan.
--Counselors on site to assist.
--HMX-1 Flight Surgeon on site.
--Marine Reserve Unit providing security (6th Eng Spt BN
Det A Bulk Fuel).
--Locals have constructed a memorial with flowers.
--There are two Armed Forces Medical Examiners on site.
--10 Trained mortuary affairs personnel from the U.S. Air
Force and Armed Forces Institute of Pathology arrived from
Washington, DC, Monday.
--Recovery efforts began 0800 this morning.
--Once remains have been properly removed, they will be
transferred to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base for shipment to
Dover Air Force Base, Delaware.
--Dover serves as the Port Mortuary for all Services.
--At Dover, the remains will be met by Marines from the
Marine Barracks Washington, DC.
--After the remains have been identified, they will be
assigned an escort (either someone from the Marines' unit or
someone designated by the family).
--Memorial services will be held at NAS Patuxent River, MD
next week and Camp Pendleton on Monday 17th. Exact times and
dates are being coordinated.
--MCAS New River has tentatively scheduled a memorial for
the four aircrew at 1400 this Friday.
--If DNA analysis is required, a sample will be taken from
the remains at Dover and testing will be done at Rockville,
Maryland Institute of Pathology.
--All Marines on board are entitled to be buried at
Arlington National Cemetery if the family so desires.
____
MAWTS-1--Assault Support Tactics Three
Assault Support Tactics Three (AST III) is a long range
(180 NM radius) multiple site Noncombatant Evacuation
Operation (NEO) conducted at night (on NVGs) in the Phoenix
and Tucson Arizona areas. A ``real world'' scenario forms the
two day evolution which is the culmination of the AST Common
flight phase of the Weapons and Tactics Instructors (WTI
Course) taught at Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics
Squadron One. Additionally, the NEO completes the WTI
course's Military Operations in an Urban Terrain (MOUT)
package introduced earlier during the Common academics phase.
This particular WTI mission requires a sizeable airborne
package consisting of mostly helicopters. Specific numbers
for WTI 2-00 are; (7) CH-46Es, (5) CH-53Es, (2) CH-53Ds, (5)
AH-1Ws, 1 UH-1N, (3) FA-18Ds, (4) MV-22s, (3) KC-130s for a
total of 30 aircraft supporting the NEO. Besides the aircraft
required to support the mission a Forward Operating Base
(FOB) is established at Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary
Airfield. The FOB is guarded by Stinger Teams, facilitates a
Marine Air Traffic Control Mobile Team (MMT), a MWCS
Communications Detachment using high power HF, VHF SINGARS,
and SATCOM. A Forward Arming and Refueling Point (FARP) is
also established at the FOB employing KC-130's Rapid Ground
Refueling (RGR) systems. The Tactical Bulk Fuel Dispensing
System (TBFDS) is also employed on a CH-53E at a separate
austere site to refuel the AH-1Ws and UH-1N.
During the execution, three separate task forces pull
evacuees from three different sites located in Phoenix and
Tucson. The American citizens once evacuated and repositioned
at the FOB where a complete Evacuation Control Center (ECC)
completes the processing. Once processing is complete, the
KC-130s lift the evacuees back to Yuma, AZ. MAWTS-1 staff
members make up the Forward Command Element (FCE). An
infantry company that supports WTI make up the security
elements and man the ECC at the FOB's consolidation site.
Additional Marines dressed in civilian attire make up the
noncombatants--totaling up to eighty evacuees. As the mission
progresses, all information is relayed through the
established command and control system including a Direct Air
Support Center (DASC) and DASC(A), an Assault Support
Coordinator Airborne (ASC(A)) assists in control of the
mission while `real time' information is fed back to the
Tactical Air Command Center (TACC). Situational awareness is
maintained in the TAC--nearly two hundred miles from the
further site!
The NEO training received at MAWTS-1, during the WTI
course, is critical since no where else in the FMF are NEOs
practiced to such an extent and magnitude--except during a
real contingency.
CMC Mishap Update for 11 Apr 2000
Aviation
--Recovery of remains started 0800 this morning
--Ten bodies recovered as of 1500 11 April
--Should get at least 4 more today
--Crew chief identified by equipment and uniform
--Expect to be complete by 12 April
--Remains to be flown from Davis-Monthan AFB to Dover
--Autopsies and DNA sampling to commence upon return to
East Coast
--All Aircraft Mishap Board members and augmentees on site
at Marana, AZ
--Armed Forces Institute of Pathology--12 personnel
2 Medical Examiners
10 Mortuary Affairs personnel
--JAG Manual investigators (LtCol Morgan and LtCol (Sel)
Radich) from Quantico on scene 11 April
--MOTT (85 Pax) to be transported by C-9 from MCAS Yuma to
Pax River Wednesday; C-130 to return team from memorial
service at New River to Yuman on Saturday, Pending aircraft
status, original test plan called for OPEVAL to resume at
China Lake on Sunday
--Aircraft presently cleared for ground turns and taxiing
as of 11 April
legislative affairs
--Briefing requested by Rep. Curt Weldon (R, PA 7th Dist.)
and others by LtGen. McCorkle set for 1000, 12 April
--Offer made by OLA to Senate side for similar briefing in
PM on 12 April if desired
public affairs
--Have received over 1000 media inquiries since the mishap
--LtGen. McCorkle's preliminary press conference 1630 on 10
April
--LtGen. McCorkle gave statement and answered reporters
questions at DOD nationally televised press conference at
1330 on 11 April
--Daily briefings at 1430 at the crash site with Maj. Dave
Anderson
--Once barriers erected at crash site, most press departed
____
V-22 ``Osprey'' Key Facts
The V-22 OSPREY is a joint service, multi-mission,
vertical/short take-off and landing tiltrotor aircraft. It
performs a wide range of VTOL missions as effective as a
conventional helicopter while achieving the long-range cruise
efficiencies of a twin turboprop aircraft. The MV-22 will be
the Marine Corps' medium lift aircraft, replacing the aging
fleet of CH-46 and CH-53D helicopters. The Air Force variant,
the CV-22, will replace the MH-53J and MH-60G and augment the
MC-130 fleet in the USSOCOM Special Operations mission. The
V-22, which is jointly produced by Bell Helicopter Textron
and the Boeing Company, is the world's first production
tiltrotor aircraft.
features and benefits
Incorporates mature, but advanced technologies in
composite materials, survivability, airfoil design, fly-by-
wire controls, digital cockpit and manufacturing.
Has two 38-foot diameter ``prop-rotors.'' Engine/
transmission nacelles mounted on the end of each wing rotate
through 95 degrees. Combines vertical takeoff and landing of
a helicopter with the long range, high speed and efficiency
of a turboprop airplane.
This unique aircraft transitions from the
helicopter flying mode to a fixed wing flying mode in less
than 20 seconds.
[[Page H2190]]
Speed, range, and payload expand capabilities
beyond the limits of helicopter technology.
Self deployable worldwide, ferry range of 2,100 NM
with one aerial refueling.
Can fly at speeds from hover to 300 knots, cruises
at 250 knots.
Increased speed, maneuverability and reduced
vulnerability make it much more survivable in combat than the
helicopters it is replacing.
Carries up to 24 fully combat loaded Marines
internally or 10,000 pounds externally.
Performs missions relevant to post Cold War era:
Amphibious landing
Noncombatant evacuation
Tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel
Humanitarian relief
Transporting troops into combat
Long-range special operations night/all weather
Provides all the above faster from further distances with
more survivability than a helicopter
schedule
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron (VMMT-
204) designated June 1999
Initial operational capability for the Marine
Corps--2001
First USMC fleet squadron scheduled deployment--
2003
USAF Initial operational capability--2004
Service buys: Marine Corps 360 MV-22s, Air Force
50 CV-22s, Navy 48 HV-22s
____________________