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Osprey tests at Combat Center

Marine Corps News

Story Identification #: 2005415152148
Story by Lance Cpl. Brian A. Tuthill

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif (April 15, 2005) -- Combat Center Marines and Sailors may get a glimpse of the Osprey flying again as the test group conducts practice missions during an operational evaluation period here going on throughout April.

All V-22 Ospreys were grounded in January 2005 because of excessive wear found in the gearbox bearings which control the propellers, said to 2nd Lt. Geraldine Carey, public affairs officer for the test group.

Since then, those bearings have been replaced with chrome-coated ball bearings to protect from wear, said Carey.

The Osprey, which takes off and hovers like a helicopter, can rotate its nacelles and fly like an airplane, faster and further than a helicopter.

The Osprey is slated to replace the CH-46 Sea Knight and CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopters.

"The operational evaluation period began March 28," said Carey. "Two of the aircraft flew non-stop from [Marine Corps Air Station] New River, N.C., to Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., and conducted aerial refueling."

"The Ospreys made the cross-country journey in less than half a day," said Carey. "For the CH-46 helicopter, that would take over three days to fly the same distance."

Testing aboard the Combat Center includes the transporting of infantry Marines, refueling, defensive maneuvers against fixed- and rotary- wing threats and lifting external cargo.

According to Carey, the Osprey will be further tested on U.S. naval amphibious ships after evaluations are completed here.

When the operational evaluation period ends in June, a report will be delivered to Congress to make a decision of whether or not to enter full production.

"Only eight of the 19 MV-22 Ospreys are involved in the operational evaluation," said Carey. "The others will remain at New River and continue training for the pilots and air crew in order to have fully qualified instructors."