(StraightShooterNews.com) – In a show of urgency to prioritize servicemen’s safety, The U.S. military has grounded and canceled flights of its entire fleet of V-22 Ospreys following a near-disastrous event in New Mexico.
Vice Admiral Carl Chebi, head of Naval Air Systems Command, recommended the operational pause “out of an abundance of caution” following a near-crash incident in New Mexico.
This decision impacts all branches using the Osprey, including the Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force.
The grounding comes amid renewed focus on flaws in the aircraft’s design and ongoing safety challenges that have plagued the Osprey for years.
Moreover, lawmakers have demanded a thorough review of the Osprey’s issues. They are pressing for solutions before these aircraft are allowed to return to active service.
The Osprey’s troubled history is nothing new. Over the past five years, the aircraft has faced increasing safety problems, with parts wearing out faster than expected and design flaws contributing to numerous accidents.
Since its introduction three decades ago, there have been a staggering 64 fatalities and 93 injuries in Osprey crashes.
In addition, a wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against the Osprey’s manufacturers following a crash that killed five Marines in June 2022.
The lawsuit accused Bell Textron, Boeing, and Rolls-Royce of negligence and misleading statements about the aircraft’s safety. It is high time these defense contractors were held accountable for their failures.
The root of the problem is the weakness in the metal components used in Osprey’s transmission system.
The metal in question, X-53 VIMVAR, has been found to have microscopic weak spots due to foreign substances introduced during manufacturing, leading to fatigue cracking. This flaw has likely caused at least seven previous incidents of gear cracking.
According to Air Force Special Operations Command spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Rebecca Heyse, the Air Force also implemented an operational pause for all CV-22 flight operations in New Mexico.
Last month, during a local training mission, the aircraft had to make a “precautionary landing,” which initial information indicated was because of a “materiel failure that has not been seen before.”
The military and Bell Flight claimed they are working to strengthen the metal used in the Osprey’s transmission system.
Furthermore, America’s allies are also questioning the safety of this aircraft. Japan’s military briefly grounded its Osprey fleet in October after an incident during takeoff.
The Osprey’s unique design, which allows for both helicopter and airplane flight modes, contributes to its high accident rate.
The directive is not just a matter of internal policy but also reflects the U.S. military’s obligation to act responsibly for its servicemen and allies.
As immediate solutions are sought, the present grounding serves as an urgent call for operational safety and aircraft design reform.
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