Posted on Aug 25, 2015
Years After Troubling Report, Osprey Readiness Remains A Challenge. Do you think it's on the way out?
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Nearly two years since a report found evidence that the Marine Corps’ MV-22B Osprey was not mission ready due to a high operational tempo, the Corps has made significant efforts to try to turn that around. In 2013, a classified report from the Defense Department Inspector General found that the ready status of the Ospreys at six squadrons was being reported incorrectly the majority of the time. The report also found that readiness for the Osprey ranged from 45 to 58% from 2009 to 2011.
Since that time, the Marine Corps has introduced policies and training aimed at improving record keeping and maintenance training, said Maj. Paul Greenberg, a spokesman for Marine aviation at the Pentagon. From July 2014 to June 2015, the Osprey’s mission-capable rate has increased to 62% for stateside aircraft and 71% for deployed squadrons.
“We have confidence in the professionalism of our Marine pilots and maintainers, but realize there is always room for improvement,” Greenberg told Marine Corps Times. “A major component of improvement is enhancing our aviation maintenance training, to include better record keeping.”
Read the entire story at:
http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story/military/pentagon/2015/08/23/osprey-readiness-challenge-years-after-troubling-report/32002433/
Since that time, the Marine Corps has introduced policies and training aimed at improving record keeping and maintenance training, said Maj. Paul Greenberg, a spokesman for Marine aviation at the Pentagon. From July 2014 to June 2015, the Osprey’s mission-capable rate has increased to 62% for stateside aircraft and 71% for deployed squadrons.
“We have confidence in the professionalism of our Marine pilots and maintainers, but realize there is always room for improvement,” Greenberg told Marine Corps Times. “A major component of improvement is enhancing our aviation maintenance training, to include better record keeping.”
Read the entire story at:
http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story/military/pentagon/2015/08/23/osprey-readiness-challenge-years-after-troubling-report/32002433/
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Marine Corps Aviation
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 15
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Not unless there is something better... the more its used and trusted, the better asset it will be. Kudos to the Marines for hooking it up!
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SGT (Join to see)
I wish them well MSgt Curtis Ellis. It's a heck of an airplane. Id hate to see it become obsolete, unless there is something better.
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MSgt Curtis Ellis
SGT (Join to see) - Agreed. I think it has actually found a good home with the Marines.
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SGT (Join to see)
It is a weapon we need MSgt Curtis Ellis. There's nothing else like it as far as I know.
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It's not going away. Billions upon billions have been sunk into it. Even if it were as bad as reported, they would not let it go away. I'm not a fan of the Ospreys but they do fly them a lot, they have done some good things as well. As with any newer aircraft there is going to be problems. The v22 has plenty of them, but, they will work through them.
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What do we have to replace it? Not much of an option now that we have invested so much into it.
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SGT (Join to see)
It put the Corps in a bad place with the accidents it was having. I'm glad they have taken the bull by the horns and are correcting the problems. It will still be an important asset if something else is built. With the military cuts happening, it's difficult to think anything else is in the wings.( No Pun Intended)
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Unless it is considered operational security, I would like to hear opinions of active duty pilots and passengers on the relevancy of this dated airframe.
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MCPO Roger Collins
Capt Richard Porter. When did plans finish? When was first plane off the line? Testing complete? First deployment date? OK now tell me the timeline up to 2010. That isn't saying it's good or bad. As you may recall I was asking the question of those experienced than I am. The B-52 and other airframes are dated but are still effectively.
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Capt Richard I P.
MCPO Roger Collins, I'm not sure about the other dates you asked, though I've no doubt google knows. I imagine most airframes take a while in development before deploying. I'm not a pilot, I've ridden in several ospreys in country. I'm familiar with their capability set and how they serve the MAGTF in terms of air support and planning. There is no equal platform. They have greater range and speed than any other rotor wing platform. They have a small size that integrates well with our Navy team mates aboard vessels. They can turn your stomach when they shift flight modes. But they're good gear.
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MCPO Roger Collins
That was the question. If you read up on the time line I was referencing from the source of your choice you will see why I used the term dated.
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I don't know why the Marine Corps feels the need to come up with expensive and unreliable new aircraft! The focus should be on practical weaponry and troop welfare.
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SGT (Join to see)
GySgt Moses Lozano, That sounds more responsible than eliminating something that is already in use.
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The Osprey looks like an awesome aircraft, but has been plagued with problems. Turned into a huge money pit.
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SGT (Join to see)
And now they can't do anything but continue to pour money into it, because of the cut backs.
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Don't know if it was DCS Air or CMC that recently testified all USMC aircraft were at about 60-70% availability rate because we had flown them hard for the last 15 years and didn't have the money to keep them up. Until we get an administration that cares about the military, that's the way it will be. Went through the same thing with Carter. Would walk onto the flight line and see five aircraft out of a 25 aircraft squadron available with the non flying 20 ready to go, but on admin hold because we couldn't afford to fix them if they broke. When Reagan came in it all changed.
I hear from the young pilots that the Osprey is one heck of a machine. Yes, they had trouble in development, but when the 46 was first introduced to the fleet the rear end had a habit of falling off. Serious problem in a much more simple aircraft than the Osprey. They fixed the problem on the 46 and it went on for another 50 years. Let's hope the engineers and the fleet pilots and wrench turners (or is it data dinks these days) have worked the problems out and the Osprey will perform like it's predecessor.
I hear from the young pilots that the Osprey is one heck of a machine. Yes, they had trouble in development, but when the 46 was first introduced to the fleet the rear end had a habit of falling off. Serious problem in a much more simple aircraft than the Osprey. They fixed the problem on the 46 and it went on for another 50 years. Let's hope the engineers and the fleet pilots and wrench turners (or is it data dinks these days) have worked the problems out and the Osprey will perform like it's predecessor.
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SGT (Join to see)
Thank you Sir for your reply. I think the Ospreys will be around a long time. Is it cheaper to fix an aircraft over the years it's flying, or is it cheaper to buy a new model, LtCol Robert Quinter?
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LtCol Robert Quinter
Sgt Keith Bodine. I was qualified in three different helicopters and three fixed wing aircraft. Came to the opinion after many years and flight hours that the engineers and designers deliver an aircraft that is as good as possible according to the book. When it gets in the fleet, the pilots, crews and maintenance people wring it out; make it do things the designers never envisioned to accomplish the mission and continually work on the weaknesses that no book or computer could predict. So, short answer, although you sometimes have to fix mistakes the designers made, more often then not, operating unit personnel refine it until you've got a combat and operationally finely tuned machine. Unfortunately, sometimes people get hurt in the process.
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SGT (Join to see)
Until something better and we can afford comes along SSgt Tim Ricci. Those are damn good planes. I hope the previous problems are gone for good.
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