MV-22 Osprey at RIAT and Farnborough

[Bronx]

Something for the guys in England to see.
http://www.bellhelicopter.com/images/CV22_main_750x250_46558.jpg
MV-22 Osprey Tiltrotors to Royal International Air Tattoo and Farnborough Air Shows

U.S. Marines will fly two MV-22 Ospreys to England for the Royal International Air Tattoo at Fairford and Farnborough International Air Show.

Bell Boeing pilots will fly the aircraft during daily flight demonstrations at both RIAT and Farnborough.

The Ospreys will depart Marine Corps Air Station New River, NC, and fly to Goose Bay, Newfoundland, where the crews will remain overnight. The next day they will depart Goose Bay and fly across the Atlantic to Farnborough with two Marine Corps KC-130J tanker aircraft from VMGR-252.

The Marine Corps' purpose for going to RIAT and FAS is to develop tactics, techniques and procedures for long-range, over-water movements of V-22s. VMX-22 will validate the Osprey's long-range fuel system capability and aerial refueling data, with the goal of supporting future VMM unit-level deployments.

Under the current program of record, the Marine Corps will purchase 360 MV-22s for missions, including amphibious assault, ship-to-objective maneuvers, and sustained operations ashore. The Navy is also slated to get 48 MV-22s, which could be used for fleet logistic support, and search and rescue.

The Air Force Special Operations Command will acquire 50 CV-22 variants, with enhanced capabilities tailored for their unique mission requirements. The CV-22 will reach initial operational capability in 2009, while the Marines' variant will be ready to deploy in late 2007.

[chevvron]

Any idea what date this will be?

[The Nr Fairy]

Maybe http://www.airtattoo.com/ and http://www.farnborough.com/ might give you a clue ?

[AlanM]

Nr - I am sure we are aware when the shows are, but I too wonder when they will actually land at Farnborough.

[Ian Corrigible]

The original statement issued last month said that the aircraft will be departing on 7/10, attending RIAT (7/15 - 7/16) prior to being showcased at Farnborough (7/17 - 7/23).

I/C

[Bronx]

V-22 Osprey makes precautionary landing en route to U.K. air show


WASHINGTON -- A U.S. military V-22 Osprey made a precautionary landing in Iceland on Monday, delaying its journey to the U.K. for the Farnborough International Air Show, the U.S. Marine Corps said.

The Pentagon is sending two Ospreys to the show as the aircraft's first overseas journey. Contractors Bell Helicopter, part of Textron Inc. (TXT), and Boeing Co. (BA) are sharing the cost of the trip and will pay for all of the exhibition flights at the event.

The V-22 is a tilt-rotor aircraft that can take off like a helicopter and fly like a plane. The aircraft is expected to become officially combat capable by September 2007, when it is scheduled to be deployed for the first time.

In this week's transatlantic journey, one of the aircraft made it all the way to the U.K. with no problems. The other V-22 experienced "right engine compressor stalls" and made a precautionary landing at a U.S. military base in Iceland.

A V-22 program spokesman said the incident did not indicate any serious problems with the aircraft, nor would it put a big crimp in the schedule. The diverted aircraft should finish its journey later this week, he said.

[SASless]

The Marine Corps' purpose for going to RIAT and FAS is to develop tactics, techniques and procedures for long-range, over-water movements of V-22s.

That's why the contractors are paying part of the costs for the trip.....could not be anything to do with a sales pitch or anything I guess?

Reckon they will bring along some of those 200,000 USD special built jeeps the Marines bought to tow French mortars?