Mission

The CV-22 is the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) variant of the U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey. The CV-22’s mission is to conduct long-range infiltration, exfiltration and resupply missions for special operations forces.

Description

Like the MV-22 Osprey, the CV-22 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. Those capabilities give this versatile, self-deployable aircraft the capability to conduct missions that would normally require both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft.

The CV-22 is equipped with integrated threat countermeasures, terrain-following radar, forward-looking infrared sensor, and other advanced avionics systems that allow it to operate at low altitude in adverse weather conditions and medium- to high-threat environments.

The first two test aircraft were delivered to Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., in September 2000. The 58th Special Operations Wing at Kirtland AFB, NM 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. 

Specifications

Primary Function: special operations forces long-range infiltration, exfiltration and resupply

Contractor: Bell-Boeing

Date Deployed: 2006

Propulsion: Two Rolls-Royce Liberty AE1107C engines

Length: 57’ 4”

Height: 22’ 1”

Wingspan: 83’ 10”

Weight: maximum gross 60,500 pounds (self-deployment); 57,000 pounds (STOL); 52,600 (VTOL)

Crew: 4 - pilot, copilot and (2) flight engineers

Program Status

ACAT: ACAT IC Program

Production Phase: Production and Sustainment

Achieved Initial Operational Capabilities (IOC) date: 2009

Updated: February 2023