WASHINGTON — The military's V-22 Osprey remains under intense scrutiny.
The multi-mission tiltrotor V-22 Osprey has had a difficult safety record dating back to initial testing in 1991 — with 64 service members' deaths and 93 injuries.
"In the past two and a half years we have experienced four mishaps with the V-22 program that has resulted in the loss of 20 of our service members and four aircraft. This has the full attention of USN, USMC and US Air Force leaders," said Vice Admiral Carl Chebi, Commander of Naval Air Systems Command, testifying Wednesday before the House Oversight National Security, the Border and Foreign Affairs Subcommittee.
The most recent tragedy took place last November off the coast of Japan, with a "catastrophic material failure" causing a crash, killing eight Air Force airmen.
That incident led to the grounding of all 386 operational Osprey aircraft across the Navy, Air Force and Marines from December to March.
Since then, the Osprey has been returned to limited flight status, recording 7,000 flight hours.
"I will not certify the V-22 to return to unrestricted flight operations until I am satisfied that have sufficiently addressed the issues that may affect the safety of the aircraft. Based on the data that I have today, I am expecting that this will not occur before mid-2025," said Chebi.
Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Massachusetts) said he doesn't think the Osprey is safe, and he wants the military to re-ground the entire fleet of V-22s until all safety issues are fixed.
"We've already had too much carnage. we've already lost too many good men and women. This repeated drumbeat of fatalities is totally unacceptable," he said.
Separate from today's hearing, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) is conducting its own audit of the V-22's safety record.