Here's a
surprise: the V-22 Osprey has turned into the safest, most survivable
rotorcraft the U.S. Marine Corps operates. The Osprey had its first
fatal accident in ten years last April during a combat mission in
Afghanistan, when an Air Force version hit the ground at high speed.
But because of safety features built into the airframe, 16 of the 20
personnel on board survived. If you think that's still one crash too
many, then you better not look at the safety records of other rotorcraft
in theater, because many of them are not faring as well. After 14
operational deployments and 100,000 flight hours, the Osprey is
beginning to look like a real life-saver.
That's not the way the V-22 began its history. Conceived as a
versatile aircraft that could combine the land-anywhere agility of a
helicopter with the speed (280 miles per hour) and range (375 miles) of a
fixed-wing aircraft, the Osprey suffered two serious accidents during
its development. Those accidents delayed fielding and left a lasting
impression on critics, who to this day allege it is a flawed aircraft.
The Marine Corps vigorously disagrees, arguing it is a safer and more
flexible way of getting troops from ship to shore than any other means
available. A mounting body of evidence from operational deployments
indicates the Marines are right. Not only is the V-22 less likely to be
hit by ground fire than conventional helicopters (because it flies
faster and higher), but when it is hit it suffers less damage and if it
crashes occupants are more likely to survive.
Over the last ten years, the V-22 mishap rate has been about half
the average for the entire Marine aircraft fleet, and it is currently
the lowest of any rotorcraft in that fleet. These averages are adjusted
to reflect time actually flown, so it really is a surprisingly safe
aircraft, considering it only recently entered service. New airframes
usually have higher mishap rates than aircraft that have been operated
for many years. Of course, none of this would matter if the Osprey
couldn't do much, but in fact it is living up to its potential for
versatility, conducting everything from night raids and medical
evacuations in Afghanistan to logistical support and humanitarian
assistance in Haiti. It is also proving to be the most flexible
airframe employed by Air Force special operators, who use it for an
array of harrowing combat and rescue missions. Readiness rates for the
Marine version are around 70 percent, which is quite respectable for a
new and novel airframe.
But much of this progress has not been noticed by the political
system, which finds it hard to forget the testing accidents that
occurred many years ago. In fact, three different amendments are
currently pending in Congress to delete some or all of the funding for
the Osprey, and the president's bipartisan deficit panel suggested
ending production early because the program had a "troubled history" of
developmental problems. That's kind of like saying that Mr. Obama does
not deserve reelection because he had a tough childhood, without looking
at what he's done lately. With only $15 billion left to be spent in a
$70 billion acquisition program, it makes no sense to cut the V-22
program just as the Marines are about to reach their inventory goal.
Costs are down, readiness is up, and the Osprey has become the safest
way of moving troops around combat zones. This is one program that
deserves to stay on track.
Loren B. Thompson, Ph.D.
