Bell Boeing CV-22B Osprey - USA

The tilt-rotor Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey combines the versatility of a helicopter with the performance of a fixed-wing turboprop aircraft. Having made a vertical or short take-off, the wingtip-mounted nacelles containing the two Rolls-Royce Allison AE1107C turboshaft engines tilt forwards to allow the transition into conventional flight. The maiden flight of the V-22 prototype took place in March 1989. It is now in service in MV-22B form with the US Marine Corps as a cargo and troop transport, and in US Air Force Special Operations Command as the CV-22B for long-range infiltration, exfiltration and re-supply tasks. Based at RAF Mildenhall, the 7th Special Operations Squadron of the 352nd Special Operations Wing are often seen during late afternoons and dusk transiting to their exercise locations and it is this unit which is providing the Osprey for static display at RIAT 2022.

Photo Credit: Rich Cooper