Latest news with #CV-22Osprey
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Lawmakers Push for Osprey Safety Report to Be Added to Annual Defense Funding Bill
House lawmakers want a safety report about the V-22 Osprey to be included in the annual defense appropriations bill after several deadly crashes killed troops and raised questions about the aircraft's continued use by the military. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., and Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-Wis., wrote a letter to the leadership of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense on Friday, asking for language to be added to the fiscal 2026 appropriations bill that would shed more light on historic mechanical failures with the aircraft. "These servicemembers are heroes, and their legacy should reflect their decorated careers, bravery and service to this nation," the letter says. "There is no question that our service members deserve better than to be protecting our country in an aircraft with known mechanical issues." Read Next: Pentagon Diverts $1 Billion from Army Barracks to Fund Border Mission Emmer and Grothman's letter follows a deadly Air Force Special Operations Command Osprey crash in November 2023 in Japan that killed eight airmen during a training mission. exclusively reported last year, after reviewing privileged safety information, that the crash was caused by issues in the tilt-rotor aircraft's gearbox -- specifically a fractured single high-speed planetary pinion gear. That internal Safety Investigation Board report detailed that other failures in the gearbox were first flagged back in 2013, a decade prior to the deadly crash, and concerns were raised at the Pentagon. Additionally, the company that made the part that failed has been plagued with a history of manufacturing issues. Emmer and Grothman's letter cited past reporting and specifically asks for language to be included that will examine past safety reports that probed failures, including that gear from the Japan crash. The letter asks the defense appropriator subcommittee to request "a report that includes the results of any safety investigation pertaining to any crash of the CV-22 Osprey since the introduction of the aircraft or other mishap involving the failure of the single high-speed planetary pinion gear." The language would require the defense secretary to submit the safety information within 30 days of the passage of the appropriations bill. Jason Gagnon, a spokesperson for Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Calif., the chair of the defense appropriations subcommittee, said the congressman would be working with other lawmakers on Osprey safety. "Chairman Calvert looks forward to working with Majority Whip Emmer and other colleagues on this issue," Gagnon said in an emailed statement. "The safety of our service members remains one of the top priorities of the Defense Subcommittee." Notably, almost a year ago, Grothman led a House Committee on Oversight and Reform subcommittee hearing into the safety record of the V-22 Osprey. reported earlier this month that the investigation had stalled with the Republican-led committee, which angered Gold Star families who lost loved ones in the crash and are still hoping for answers. "I'm beyond disappointed, to say the least, that these oversight efforts seem to have stalled or disappeared," Amber Sax, the wife of John Sax, a Marine Corps pilot who died in a 2022 Osprey crash, told earlier this month. Grothman blamed the previous administration for a lack of transparency. He signed the letter alongside Emmer, calling for safety reports two weeks after reporting pointing out the lack of progress. Air Force Special Operations Command spokesperson Lt. Col. Rebecca Heyse told in an emailed statement that they "continue to welcome congressional interest and oversight" on the Osprey program. "We maintain close coordination with the V-22 Joint Program Office to ensure resourcing and funding are prioritized to maximize readiness and safety of the CV-22, like we do for all our aircraft," Heyse said. Related: Osprey Safety Investigation Stalls in Congress, Angering Gold Star Families
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Kirtland AFB offers sneak peek of aircraft that will be on display during Air Fiesta event
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) –They're some of the most powerful technologically advanced planes and helicopters in the world flying over the skies of Albuquerque and now Kirtland Air Force base is giving a front row seat showing how airmen refuel aircraft in the middle of the sky. Story continues below New Mexico Insiders: Leader Of Albuquerque FBI Steps Down Trending: Family of 105-year-old Bataan Death March survivor shares his story Crime: New Mexico correctional officer caught by husband for bringing drugs to inmate, court docs show Community: Poll: Where is the best place to go camping in New Mexico? A routine for some in the air force going up thousands of feet and holding on for a bumpy ride to complete another mission. 'The best way I could describe it was if you've ever sat on a washing machine with an uneven load for about 30 minutes, that gives you an estimate of what we go through every day,' said Major Matthew Olivero, with Kirtland Air Force Base. Wednesday airmen at Kirtland Air Force Base let KRQE News 113 tag along on a special operations command aircraft known as the MC-130J where crews practiced the mid-air refueling of a CV-22 Osprey. 'So, it can take anywhere from five minutes to an hour, depending on how much fuel that they need, how bumpy the track is, or if it's just training, we might go up and down the track to get them practice,' said Maj. Olivero. A combat systems officer on the MC-130, Maj. Olivero has been flying this aircraft for nearly a decade. 'I absolutely love it. To me it's the best job in the world when you get to look out of the aircraft window and see the terrain that's right there and all the different mission sets that we do,' said Maj. Olivero. The MC-130J costs around $114 million. It's designed for transporting troops and supplies or refueling missions for special operations. In Albuquerque the aircraft is often used for special night training. 'Every day. We have sorties flying every day, Monday through Friday, day and night. But primarily, all of our operations do happen at night,' said Nicholas Holguin, pilot on the MC-130. The HH60 will be one of six different aircrafts that people will be able to get up close and person on May 31. That soon to happen up close look will come with Kirtland's Air Fiesta, something that hasn't happened in six years. 'The only thing I would say is come out to the air show and enjoy. It'll be a great time,' said Maj. Olivero. The two-day air show will start May 31-June 1. The base is expecting roughly 20,000 visitors to show up. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
US Air Force gives F-22s a much-needed engine boost to reverse 20-year readiness low
Pratt & Whitney, a business unit of RTX, has secured a three-year contract valued at up to $1.5 billion to support the maintenance of F119 engines that power the U.S. Air Force's F-22 Raptor fighter jets. This agreement aims to enhance the operational readiness of an F119 fleet exceeding 400 engines, which has collectively logged over 900,000 flight hours. Jill Albertelli, president of Military Engines at Pratt & Whitney, highlighted the critical nature of the F119 engines' readiness and reliability, stating, 'We are focused on improving both while lowering lifecycle costs.' This initiative reflects a commitment to help the U.S. Air Force retain the F-22's advantage in combat scenarios. The F-22 Raptor has two F119 engines that produce more than 35,000 pounds of thrust each. This powerful engine configuration allows the aircraft to reach altitudes above 65,000 feet while maintaining impressive speed and agility. A distinctive feature of the F-22 is its ability to achieve and sustain supersonic speeds without the need for afterburners, a capability referred to as supercruise. This conserves fuel and extends the aircraft's operational range, making it a formidable presence in the skies. As part of its strategy to reduce costs, Pratt & Whitney has implemented a Usage-Based Living program that utilizes real-time data to optimize maintenance processes and extend the lifespan of the engines. In addition, engine control system updates have enhanced its kinematic performance. This new contract is expected to support ongoing efforts to improve readiness and cut expenses while emphasizing safety, accessibility, straightforward maintenance, and modernization efforts. The contract's announcement comes when the U.S. Air Force grapples with significant challenges in maintaining high operational availability across its aircraft fleets, reportedly reaching their lowest availability levels in two decades. The average mission-capable rate dropped to only 67.15% during fiscal year 2024, marking a decline of nearly two percentage points from the previous year and the lowest statistic since 2004. The mission-capable rate indicates how well an aircraft can perform at least one of its core functions based on U.S. Air Force planning. Factors influencing these rates include the availability of maintenance personnel, spare parts, and crew training levels. During fiscal year 2024, the U.S. Air Force operated 65 different aircraft types, with 29 showing a reduction in their mission-capable rates. The CV-22 Osprey reported the lowest availability, consistent with the aircraft's history of technical failures and limitations. Conversely, 26 aircraft types improved operational readiness, with the C-12, C-21, MC-12, and UV-18 achieving a commendable 100% operational availability rate. The trend among the Air Force's stealth fighter fleets, notably the F-22 and F-35, is of particular concern. The F-22's operational availability plummeted from 57.4% two years ago to a concerning 40.2% recently. Analysts explain this decline because of congressional restrictions preventing the retirement of older, high-maintenance units until 2028. The F-35, however, registered a slight improvement in availability, increasing by 0.5 percentage points to reach 51.5%, attributed to a better supply of spare parts. Additionally, the bomber fleet has faced reliability challenges, with availability rates for the B-1B, B-2A, and B-52H all decreasing. In the reconnaissance category, aging platforms scheduled for retirement, such as the EC-130H and E-3G AWACS, are experiencing similarly low operational capabilities as they await newer replacements. The military underscores the importance of these metrics for maintaining a robust and ready fleet in the face of evolving global threats.
