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Rotorhub
MV-22 Osprey Deemed Ready for Deployment

HEADQUARTERS MARINE CORPS - Very recently it was announced that the
Marine Corps' MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft achieved initial
operational capability, (IOC), meaning that both the aircraft and the
first combat squadron, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (VMM-263)
are ready for expeditionary operations. IOC is considered the final
major milestone for any defense acquisition program prior to fielding.

Last month Gen. James T. Conway, Commandant of the Marine Corps,
announced that the squadron is scheduled to deploy to Iraq in
September with ten MV-22s. While there, Ospreys will be used for
medium assault support missions ranging from troop transport and
resupply to casualty evacuation. The MV-22 will eventually replace all
CH-46E helicopters for the Marine Corps.

Conditions required for the IOC decision include initial readiness of
VMM-263, the requisite number of aircraft and equipment delivered to
the squadron, confirmation of the combat configuration of the aircraft
through operational testing, and a robust logistical support network
to keep the aircraft ready for missions on deployment.

The Osprey is the only operational aircraft in the world with the
vertical lift capabilities of a helicopter, and the range, speed,
altitude and payload of a fixed-wing airplane. The MV-22 can fly twice
as fast, more than twice as high, and three to five times as far as
the helicopters it will replace.

The Marine Corps conducted dedicated operational testing in February
and March for the combat configuration of the aircraft, known as Block
B.