The U.S. Navy is gearing up to test a new clutch design for the V-22 Osprey following a series of fatal crashes involving the aircraft over the past two years.
Vice Adm. Carl Chebi of the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command made the announcement during a House hearing, stating that safety and performance assessments could take up to six months. Full mission capabilities for the aircraft are not expected until 2025.
Recent crashes have claimed the lives of 20 military personnel, with potential material failures and mechanical issues cited in some incidents.
Grounded since a fatal crash near the Japanese coast in November 2023, limited operations for V-22 Osprey resumed in March 2024.
In a separate development, families of four Marines who perished in an Osprey crash in 2022 have initiated legal action against Bell Textron, Boeing, and Rolls-Royce, alleging crucial failures in the aircraft’s design.
Investigations revealed that a double “hard clutch engagement” led to the tragic crash, where the clutch abruptly disengaged from and reengaged with the rotor.
The Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey offers the performance of a helicopter with enhanced speed and range.
This incident is part of a larger concern as there have been 12 serious helicopter accidents in the U.S. Army this year, resulting in five fatalities.