About half the MV-22s have been delivered to operational medium-lift squadrons to replace the CH-46 fleet. The MV-22 has a better safety record than any other Marine rotary-wing aircraft.
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Thanks for the thumbs-up for the V-22. ....Not sure about the safety record being better than the AH Cobras flown by the Marines, however. There have been, and are, many more Cobras than Ospreys. So, percentage-wise, I’d say the Cobra has the better safety record.
I worked for Bell for 35 years, including development of the XV-15 tiltrotor, which was the proof of concept aircraft that led to the V-22 and was working daily with NAVAIR on developing the aircraft logbook for limited-life components. I also was involved in the progression of the Cobra, from the AH-1G up through the AH-1W and Z.
While the Zulus and Yankees are doing well in initial operational use, on a “mishaps per 100,000 flight hours” basis—the usual measure of safety—the MV-22 still ranks best. Cheers.
TC