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V-22B Block C Osprey

The US deployed the Ospreys to Japan in 2018. CV-22s are mainly used to transport special forces. They have been involved in a number of serious accidents. In 2010, an Osprey crash-landed in Afghanistan, killing 4 soldiers. In 2012, a crash during a training mission injured five crew members in Florida. In August 2022 the aircraft were grounded by the US over a safety issue - but the flights were eventually resumed. Japan’s ministry of defense announced the purchase 17 Ospreys in 2014, although there was no contract. The State Department made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Japan for V-22B Block C Osprey aircraft and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $3 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale May 5, 2015. The Osprey would expand the Japanese capabilities for both military and humanitarian assistance operations.

The Government of Japan requested a possible sale of 17 V-22B Block C Osprey aircraft, 40 AE1107C Rolls Royce Engines, 40 AN/AAQ-27 Forward Looking InfraRed Radars, 40 AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning Systems, 40 AN/APR-39 Radar Warning Receivers, 40 AN/ALE-47 Countermeasure Dispenser Systems, 40 AN/APX-123 Identification Friend or Foe Systems, 40 AN/APN-194 Radar Altimeters, 40 AN/ARN-147 VHF Omni-directional Range (VOR) Instrument Landing System (ILS) Beacon Navigation Systems, 40 629F-23 Multi-Band Radios (Non-COMSEC), 40 AN/ASN-163 Miniature Airborne Global Positioning System (GPS) Receivers (MAGR), 40 AN/ARN-153 Tactical Airborne Navigation Systems, 80 Night Vision Goggles, Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) with unique planning components, publications and technical documentation, aircraft spares and repair parts, repair and return, aircraft ferry services, tanker support, support and test equipment, personnel training and training equipment, software, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, logistics and technical support services, and other elements of technical and program support.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States. Japan is one of the major political and economic powers in East Asia and the Western Pacific and a key partner of the United States in ensuring peace and stability in that region. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist Japan in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability. This proposed sale is consistent with U.S. objectives and the 1960 Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security.

Japan is modernizing its transport fleet to better support its defense and special mission needs. The proposed sale of V-22B Block C Osprey aircraft will greatly enhance the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s humanitarian and disaster relief capabilities and support amphibious operations. This sale will promote burden sharing with our ally and interoperability with U.S. forces. Japan will have no difficulty absorbing these aircraft into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this weapon system will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractors will be Bell Helicopter and Boeing Rotorcraft Systems via a joint venture arrangement with initial assembly of aircraft fuselage occurring in Ridley Park, PA and final aircraft assembly occurring in Amarillo, TX. There are no known offset agreements in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require travel of United States Government or contractor representatives to GOJ on a temporary basis for program technical support and management oversight. There will be no adverse impact on United States defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, was awarded a $544,668,978 modification to the previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm target, Lot 17-21 multi-year contract (N00019-12-C-2001) on 20 July 2016. This modification provides for the long lead production materials and the manufacture and delivery of four MV-22 tilt rotor aircraft pursuant to the variation in quantity clause in support of the government of Japan; as well as incorporation of an engineering change proposal for the standby flight display. Foreign military sales funds in the amount of $302,913,946 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (24.6 percent); Ridley Park, Pennsylvania (19.2 percent); Amarillo, Texas (10.4 percent); Dallas, Texas (4.3 percent); East Aurora, New York (2.5 percent); Park City, Utah (1.7 percent); El Segundo, California (1.3 percent); Endicott, New York (1 percent); Ontario, Canada (0.9 percent); Tempe, Arizona (0.8 percent); Corinth, Texas (0.8 percent); Rome, New York (0.7 percent); Torrance, California (0.7 percent); Luton, United Kingdom (0.6 percent); Los Angeles, California (0.6 percent); Cobham, United Kingdom (0.6 percent); Irvine, California (0.6 percent); San Diego, California (0.5 percent); Yakima, Washington (0.5 percent); Brea, California (0.5 percent); Rockmart, Georgia (0.5 percent); Albuquerque, New Mexico (0.4 percent); Whitehall, Michigan (0.4 percent); Wolverhampton, United Kingdom (0.4 percent); Tucson, Arizona (0.4 percent); Erie, Pennsylvania (0.3 percent); Vergennes, Vermont (0.3 percent); Kilgore, Texas (0.3 percent); Shelby, North Carolina (0.3 percent); Avon, Ohio (0.2 percent); Santa Clarita, California (0.2 percent); Garden City, New York (0.2 percent); El Cajon, California (0.2 percent); Sylmar, California (0.2 percent); Westbury, New York (0.1 percent); and various other locations inside and outside the U.S. (22.8 percent), and was expected to be completed in May 2020.

Japanese Self-Defense Forces began V-22 flight operations at Kisarazu Air Field 06 November 2020, marking the first international partner to fly the U.S. military aircraft. “The JGSDF [Japan Ground Self Defense Force] is taking a big step toward integrating the V-22’s unique capabilities into its mission,” said Col. Matthew Kelly, program manager for the V-22 Joint Program Office (PMA-275). “Beginning with Japan’s selection of the V-22 in 2015, it has been an honor working with our international ally and partner to make this program a reality.” The flight followed a ceremony earlier in the week, marking Japan’s V-22 program activation. The activation of the JGSDF’s Transportation Aviation Group flight operations is a major milestone for both the Japanese and V-22 Joint Program Office and follows a key success this summer: delivering the first aircraft to Japan, on schedule, during a global pandemic. Within the last few months, the PMA-275 international team continued to work closely with the JGSDF, completing required maintenance and expediting spares and support equipment deliveries ahead of these initial flight operations. To make all of this happen, various members of the V-22 community came together including Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Fleet Readiness Center Western Pacific, Bell Boeing and Rolls-Royce.

US Osprey in Japan

The US and Japan agreed to reduce the impact on Okinawa by increasing the training outside of Okinawa prefecture, using a variety of opportunities while maintaining deterrence. And also regarding the operation of Osprey in Japan, the US madeg maximum effort to comply with agreement of the Japan-U.S. joint committee of September 2012. A US Osprey military aircraft carrying six people on board crashed into the waters off southwestern Japan 29 November 2023. The crash occurred just before 3 p.m. local time on Wednesday near the island of Yakushima. According to an eyewitness, the aircraft appeared to roll over mid-flight before descending vertically towards the water. The eyewitness said, "It was like the so-called inverted flight. After it turned over, a fire broke out from the propeller on the left wing. There was an explosion right after that. Then the aircraft went straight down without gliding. Preliminary investigation information indicates a potential materiel failure caused the mishap. The US Defense Department suspended flights of Osprey transport aircraft operated by the US Air Force in Japan, following the fatal crash in the country's southwestern waters. Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said that US soldiers' safety and Japan's regional security are the top priority for Washington. The defense chiefs of Japan and the United States agreed 12 December 2023 that flight safety of Osprey transport aircraft is a top priority for the two countries. Japanese Defense Minister Kihara Minoru and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke over the phone. Their talks were the first since a US Air Force tilt-rotor aircraft crashed in the waters off southwestern Japan last month. The US military has grounded all of its Ospreys deployed around the world following the fatal accident. Kihara asked Austin to share information about the crash and safety measures. He also requested the US to resume flights of Ospreys stationed in Japan after their safety is confirmed. Austin reaffirmed that the Defense Department considers the safety of US service members and Japanese communities its top priority.