CV-22 Osprey 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. 110126-F-1644L-244 CV-22 Osprey pilot Maj. James Rowe and co-pilot Capt. Timothy Skypeck from the 8th Special Operations Squadron "Black Birds" come in for a landing, Jan. 26, during a local training mission at Hurlburt Field, Fla. The CV-22 Ospreys primary mission of the 8th SOS is insertion, extraction, and re-supply of unconventional warfare forces and equipment into hostile or enemy-controlled territory using airland or airdrop procedures. Photo Details / Download Hi-Res 200123-F-ZW188-0096 A U.S. Air Force CV-22 Osprey lands at Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Michigan, during Emerald Warrior 20-1, Jan. 23, 2020. Emerald Warrior 20-1 provides annual, realistic pre-deployment training encompassing multiple joint operating areas to prepare special operations forces, conventional force enablers, partner nations, and interagency elements to integrate with, and execute full spectrum special operations in an arctic climate, sharpening U.S. forces' abilities to operate around the globe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Allred) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res 140521-F-RS318-355 A U.S. Air Force CV-22 Osprey lands on Eglin Range, Fla., May 21, 2014. The CV-22 is capable of functioning as a helicopter and can convert to a turboprop aircraft to accomplish high-speed forward flight.(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. John Bainter) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res 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 Unit cost: $90 million Point of contact: AFSOC Public Affairs, AFSOC.PA.ORG@us.af.mil, (850) 884-5515 (Current as of August 2020)