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The Pentagon has ordered an indefinite operational pause for its V-22 Osprey fleet following another failure during a training mission in New Mexico.
Some shit you should know before you read: Over the last two years, there’s been an increase in calls to ground or even scrap the V-22 Osprey fleet due to a series of deadly crashes and ongoing mechanical issues that continue to plague the aircraft. High-profile incidents, such as the 2023 crash in Japan that killed eight airmen, have highlighted systemic problems, including gearbox failures, material fatigue, and rapid wear on critical components. Investigations have revealed that some failures stem from substandard materials used in manufacturing, while others are linked to inherent design flaws in the tilt-rotor system. These issues have led lawmakers and families of victims to demand greater transparency and accountability, with some arguing that the risks posed by the Osprey outweigh its operational value.
What’s going on now: According to the Pentagon, the safety pause for the V-22 Osprey fleet was triggered by a material failure during a November 20, 2024, training mission at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico, where a CV-22 Osprey experienced a previously unseen component malfunction. The issue prompted emergency landing protocols after cockpit indicators warned the crew of potential danger. Initial investigations suggest the failure involved a critical mechanical component, but the exact nature of the defect remains under review.
Reactions: In a statement, Neil Lobeda, a spokesman for the Naval Air Systems Command said, “Out of an abundance of caution, NAVAIR recommended an operational pause for all V-22 Osprey variants December 6, 2024. This decision comes following a recent precautionary landing of a CV-22. There were no injuries to the crew.
Lt. Col. Rebecca Heyse, an Air Force Special Operations Command spokesperson, also confirmed the operational pause, adding, “In concurrence with their recommendation, Lt. Gen. Michael Conley, AFSOC commander, has directed a pause for all CV-22 flight training operations. A pause in flight training operations allows time and space for us to understand what happened in the most recent event before we accept risk with unknown variables.”
This all comes as families of service members killed in previous V-22 Osprey crashes have filed lawsuits against the aircraft’s manufacturers, Boeing and Bell, as well as subcontractors. The lawsuits allege negligence in design and manufacturing, with claims that substandard materials and flawed engineering have directly contributed to the deadly incidents. Universal Stainless, a subcontractor that has been sued, has been scrutinized for providing allegedly defective steel used in critical components, such as the pinion gears linked to the catastrophic 2023 crash in Japan that killed eight airmen.
