The Pentagon is expected to lift its flight ban on V-22 Osprey as early as next week, clearing the way for the services to fly the tilt-rotor aircraft once again after nearly three months after it was grounded.
The decision was briefed to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday, a U.S. official confirmed to ABC News.
The Associated Press first reported the decision.
In this June 8, 2022 file photo, an MV-22 Osprey assault support aircraft departs off the flight deck of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) in the Baltic Sea.
Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP via Getty Images, FILE
The Naval Air Systems Command grounded the aircraft last December following a crash off Japan that killed eight airmen. Earlier in the year, three Marines died in a separate crash involving the Osprey during a training exercise off the northern coast of Australia.
The decision meant that all versions of the Osprey flown by the Marine Corps, Air Force and Navy were grounded.
It’s unlikely the services will be flying the V-22 right away. It’s expected that once a ground bulletin is lifted, the services will be given instructions on specific action items to take before putting the Osprey in the air again.
Then, it will be up to each service to decide how to use the aircraft.
The Pentagon recently announced that it will be lifting the grounding order on the V-22 Osprey aircraft, following a fatal crash that occurred three months ago. The decision comes after a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash, which claimed the lives of four Marines and injured several others.
The V-22 Osprey is a unique aircraft that combines the vertical takeoff and landing capabilities of a helicopter with the speed and range of a fixed-wing aircraft. It has been in service with the US military since 2007 and has been used in a variety of missions, including troop transport, search and rescue, and humanitarian aid.
The grounding order was put in place as a precautionary measure while investigators worked to determine the cause of the crash. The investigation found that the crash was caused by a combination of human error and mechanical failure. The Pentagon has since implemented new safety measures and training protocols to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
The decision to lift the grounding order has been met with mixed reactions. Some have expressed concerns about the safety of the V-22 Osprey, citing its history of accidents and technical issues. Others have praised the aircraft for its versatility and performance in combat situations.
Despite the controversy surrounding the V-22 Osprey, the Pentagon has stated that it remains committed to ensuring the safety of all military personnel who operate the aircraft. The lifting of the grounding order is seen as a step towards returning to normal operations and continuing to support military missions around the world.
In conclusion, the Pentagon’s decision to lift the grounding order on the V-22 Osprey aircraft marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the fatal crash that occurred three months ago. While concerns about the safety of the aircraft remain, the Pentagon has taken steps to address these issues and ensure the continued effectiveness of the V-22 Osprey in military operations.
