The V-22 was designed to blend the hover efficiency of a helicopter with the speed and range of a turboprop aircraft.
This is accomplished by rotating the nacelles (containing the engines and rotors) at the end of each wing to be vertical for low speed and hovering flight, but horizontal for higher-speed flight. As is typical in aircraft design, this feature introduced complications that delayed development, decreased safety and increased maintenance costs.
In 2013 the ownership cost of a V-22 was estimated at $83,000 per hour.
The dominant variant is the MV-22 used by the Marine Corp.
This aircraft replaced the CH-46E and CH-53D fleets to transport troops, equipment and supplies for assault support.
It can operate from ships or expeditionary airfields ashore.
The CV-22B variant is owned by the air force and used for long-range special operations missions.
It’s equipped with additional wing fuel tanks, terrain following radar and various countermeasures.
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