We are trying to provide you with the most accurate and comprehensive history of the tiltrotor program. The information contained within this site was compiled from numerous sources on the internet. If you find errors or have information and pictures to add please contact us. We would love to hear from people who have worked on any of the Tiltrotor/Tiltwing programs.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Tiltrotor History

Tiltrotor technology began in the 1950's with Transcendental's Model 1G and Bell Helicopters XV-3. Bell spent almost 10 years testing the feasibility of the Tiltrotor design. The XV-3 became the first Tiltrotor aircraft to fully convert its rotors from helicopter mode to airplane mode. Although the  XV-3 was eventually turned over to NASA for further testing, the information gathered during flight operations would help Bell with later testing of the XV-15.

Next came the Bell X-22. This aircraft used a rotating duct fan design. The X-22 spent almost 20 years in testing and development. It's last flight was in October 1984.

At the same time Bell was also working on the XV-15. Flight testing was conducted at the Hugh L. Dryden Flight Research Center in the early 1980's. The XV-15 was the primary influence on the V-22 Osprey we know today.

In the early 1980's Bell Helicopter and Boeing Aerospace began the designing the military version of the Tiltrotor aircraft. Initial studies looked very promising and various planning and development studies were completed. It wasn't until 1989 that funding was cut for the V-22 program and the future of Tiltrotor aviation looked very bleak. In 1994 the program was once again given the green light and the program was once again on the fast track to full production.

The V-22 program was managed for the Marines/Navy at HMX-1 in Quantico, VA. In 1998 the program was moved from MCAF Quantico to NAS Patuxent River. The V-22 Multi-service Operational Test Team (MOTT) was created and carried out the required military testing including OT-2D and OT-2E. OT-2 E, also known as the first major OpEval, began in September of 1999 and concluded in August of 2000. During the testing conducted by the MOTT the V-22 achieved 805 flight hours and flew 522 sorties. Testing was conducted at MACS New River, USS Saipan, NAS Patuxent River, USS Essex, MCAS Yuma, Kirtland AFB, and NAS China Lake. Upon successful completion of OPEVAL the V-22 was judged operationally effective.

OPEVAL was not without incident. On April 8 2000 aircraft 04 crashed at a small airfield in Marana, AZ. 19 Marines lost their lives that day. The crash was determined to be the result of the aircraft entering a vortex ring state. The aircraft was descending too fast and lost lift on one side causing it to crash  into the ground. The program was grounded for almost two months while the investigation was carried out.

In 1999 the first Marine Tiltrotor Squadron was created at MCAS New River. HMT-204 was re-designated as VMMT-204 and took it's place in aviation history. VMMT-204's mission is to train the pilots and aircrew to meet fleet requirements.

The program faced another setback in December of 2000 when aircraft 08 crashed in Jacksonville, NC killing 4 Marines. The cause of the crash was later determined to be the result of a simultaneous failure of hydraulics and software. The program was again grounded and a rigorous redesign was begun by Bell/Boeing. For the first time the engineers looked to the experience of the Marine maintainers for redesign considerations. The changes will be carried out in three phases. Block A, Block B and Block C.

In 2002 the V-22 program began an almost complete rebuild of two aircraft located at NAS Patuxent River. Led by a small group of the most experienced Marine maintainers the V-22 Integrated Test Team (ITT) successfully modified the aircraft and were vital to the successful return to flight on May 29, 2002.

Marine Tiltrotor Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron Twenty-Two (VMX-22) was created on August 28, 2003. VMX will assume the testing duties which were formally held by Marine Helicopter Squadron 1 (HMX-1). With the growth of the program Headquarters Marine Corps realized that a stand alone squadron was needed to keep up with mission requirements. HMX-1 will now focus full on its main mission of Presidential support. VMX will not only test the V-22 as we know it. They will also handle any new Tiltrotor technology designed in the future. Such as the Bell Eagle Eye. VMX is now poised to conduct the next OPEVAL in the first half of 2005.

The V-22 Osprey is going to change aviation as we know it today. Not only is it highly adaptable to military applications it is also perfectly designed for the civilian market as well. Enter the Bell 609.

Imagine corporations and businesses with an aircraft that has the speed and range of a conventional jet but does not have the need for a runway. Instead, it can take off from a roof top or heliport. It could even land in a field or parking lot. The Bell 609 will truly change the way we look at air travel.