Osprey Successful at Sea

Story Number: NNS031205-03 Release Date: 12/5/2003 1:18:00 PM By Ward Carroll, Naval Air Systems Command Public Affairs

The V-22 Integrated Test Team (ITT) completed a detachment in USS Bataan (LHD 5) in November, the second at-sea period for the Osprey program this year. During the 11 days of the Phase IV shipboard suitability testing, the ITT conducted deck-landing qualifications for five V-22 pilots, including one from Marine Tiltrotor Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron (VMX) 22, the new test and evaluation squadron based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C. ITT completed test points necessary to expand the Osprey’s wind-over-deck envelope, and measured the effects of hovering H-53 and H-46 helicopters on a V-22 on deck behind them. ITT engineers were pleased with the test results. “With the V-22 at its lightest operational weight, its roll response to an approaching H-53 or H-46 wake was 3.5 degrees, approximately half of what was predicted,” said Dave Mason, Bell-Boeing flying qualities engineer. “This represents a tremendous improvement over the previous configuration. We still have some testing to complete and data analysis to do before removing the restriction on helicopters landing on adjacent spots forward of the V-22, but these results are promising.” The wind-over-deck envelope-expansion testing was conducted with the V-22 parked on Spot 7, near the Bataan’s stern, and the results gleaned could allow the aircraft’s operating envelope to be increased by as much as 15 knots of wind velocity across the flight deck during takeoffs and landings. Osprey No. 22 was used for the bulk of the testing and was joined for the final two days of the detachment by Osprey No. 10. “The deployment went very smoothly,” said Air Force Col. Craig Olson, V-22 joint program manager. “Our success is a reflection of the effort of the test team – from flight control software development to simulation to shipboard verification – and the cooperation of Bataan’s crew.” Phase V, the ITT’s next shipboard suitability testing period, will be carried out in April 2004. Source: NAVSEA Newswire