USMC finishes MV-22B program of record

Bell/Boeing MV-22B Osprey (Janes/Patrick Allen)

The US Marine Corps announced the completion of the Bell-Boeing MV-22B Osprey programme of record on 28 July.

The programme first reached initial operational capability in 2007, before completing the delivery of the 359 ^th aircraft in 2026.

The USMC said the MV-22B has flown “more than 686,500 hours across 114 operational deployments” and touted the aircraft as one of the most versatile in its fleet.

According to the USMC, the Osprey sources 75% of all Marine Corps rotary-wing assault support today.

The USMC said that with the programme of record complete, the service will execute a long-term modernisation strategy to sustain the MV-22B through 2055.

“Current initiatives are focused on improving nacelle wiring to reduce maintenance hours, pursuing improved prop-rotor gear boxes with triple-melted, refined steel components, standardizing aircraft configurations across the fleet, and redesigning key components to enhance safety and make the aircraft more sustainable,” the USMC said in its press release.

Janes previously reported that senior USMC leaders are exploring a two-fold extension strategy for the Osprey fleet, focused on reducing platforms risks and modernising older MV-22Bs.

The Osprey drive system, safety, health instrumentation monitoring (ODSSHI) project is designed to reduce risk while also informing predictive maintenance capabilities for the USMC's nascent artificial intelligence tool, while USMC TACAIR leaders are implementing the V-22 Fleet Optimization and Reduction in Configuration Effort (VFORCE), designed to transition legacy Block B MV-22 variants into the current Block C configuration.