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        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders   Two CV-22s from the 20th Special Operations Squadron out of Cannon Air Force Base land at the Air Force Academy during the noon meal formation. Cadets were later able to visit with aircrews and tour the aircraft. About half of the cadets upon graduation from the Air Force Academy will become pilots after attending undergraduate pilot training (UPT). Upon graduation from UPT some will be able to choose CV-22s as their first aircraft assignment. The CV-22 is a tilt rotor aircraft that conducts day or night low-level penetration into hostile enemy territory, to accomplish clandestine infiltration and exfiltration, aerial gunnery support and resupply of special operations forces throughout the world. (Video by Kevin Conroy and Jamar Harden)
                
                
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        CV22This versatile, self-deployable aircraft offers increased speed and range over other rotary-wing aircraft, enabling Air Force Special Operations Command aircrews to execute long-range special operations missions. The CV-22 can perform missions that normally would require both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. The CV-22 takes off vertically and, once airborne, the nacelles (engine and prop-rotor group) on each wing can rotate into a forward position. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)
                
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        A CV-22 Osprey assigned to the 21st Special Operations Squadron flies over Yokota Air Base, Japan, June 15, 2020, during exercise Gryphon Jet. Gryphon Jet is an integrated training exercise focused on improving interoperability throughout the special operations community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe)A CV-22 Osprey assigned to the 21st Special Operations Squadron flies over Yokota Air Base, Japan, June 15, 2020, during exercise Gryphon Jet. Gryphon Jet is an integrated training exercise focused on improving interoperability throughout the special operations community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe)
                
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        A CV-22 Osprey lands at Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Mich., Jan. 21, 2020 during exercise Emerald Warrior. Emerald Warrior 20-1 provides annual, realistic pre-deployment training encompassing multiple joint operating areas to prepare special operations forces, conventional force enablers, partner nations and interagency elements to integrate with, and execute full spectrum special operations in an arctic climate, sharpening U.S. forces' abilities to operate around the globe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Victoria Hadden)A CV-22 Osprey lands at Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Mich., Jan. 21, 2020 during exercise Emerald Warrior. Emerald Warrior 20-1 provides annual, realistic pre-deployment training encompassing multiple joint operating areas to prepare special operations forces, conventional force enablers, partner nations and interagency elements to integrate with, and execute full spectrum special operations in an arctic climate, sharpening U.S. forces' abilities to operate around the globe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Victoria Hadden)
                
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        A CV-22 Osprey from Kirtland Air Force Base flies over the U.S. Air Force AcademyA CV-22 Osprey from Kirtland Air Force Base flies over the U.S. Air Force Academy on Nov. 6, 2020.– (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)
                
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        Soldiers with the 19th Special Operations Group practice fast-roping out of a CV-22 Osprey in preparation for a routine training operation at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Nov. 4, 2015. Ultimate Archer was a task force exercise that put Air Commandos in an unfamiliar environment to practice deployed operations. The six-day exercise gave Hurlburt Airmen a chance to work with units outside of the 1st Special Operations Wing including the 388th Fighter Wing and the 19th SOG. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Kai White)Soldiers with the 19th Special Operations Group practice fast-roping out of a CV-22 Osprey in preparation for a routine training operation at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Nov. 4, 2015. Ultimate Archer was a task force exercise that put Air Commandos in an unfamiliar environment to practice deployed operations. The six-day exercise gave Hurlburt Airmen a chance to work with units outside of the 1st Special Operations Wing including the 388th Fighter Wing and the 19th SOG. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Kai White)
                
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 CV-22 OspreyMission
The CV-22 Osprey is a tiltrotor aircraft that combines the vertical takeoff, hover and vertical landing qualities of a helicopter with the long-range, fuel efficiency and speed characteristics of a turboprop aircraft. The mission of the CV-22 is to conduct long-range infiltration, exfiltration and resupply missions for special operations forces.Features
This versatile, self-deployable aircraft offers increased speed and range over other rotary-wing aircraft, enabling Air Force Special Operations Command aircrews to execute long-range special operations missions. The CV-22 can perform missions that normally would require both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. The CV-22 takes off vertically and, once airborne, the nacelles (engine and prop-rotor group) on each wing can rotate into a forward position.
The CV-22 is equipped with integrated threat countermeasures, terrain-following radar, forward-looking infrared sensor and other systems that allow it to operate in various austere conditions.

CV-22 Osprey aerial demonstrationA CV-22 Osprey assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command prepares to land during an aerial demonstration at Wittman Regional Airport, Wis., July 30, 2021. With the various Air Force Special Operations Command aircraft and personnel in attendance at the demonstration, AFSOC brings specialized airpower and competitive advantage to the future warfighting environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Miranda Mahoney)
            
            
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    Osprey flight around the United Arab EmiratesA U.S. Air Force CV-22 Osprey assigned to the 8th Expeditionary Special Operations Squadron takes part in a photo chase mission around Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sept. 16, 2021. The mission of the CV-22 is to conduct long-range infiltration, exfiltration and resupply missions for special operations forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Wolfram M. Stumpf)
            
            
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    A 71st Operations Squadron CV-22 Osprey, flies over the skies of New MexicoA 71st Operations Squadron CV-22 Osprey, flies over the skies of New Mexico practicing air refueling with a 522nd Special Operations Squadron MC-130J Combat Shadow II, Jan. 4, 2012. The 71st SOS is stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., and the 522nd SOS at Cannon Air Force Base N.M.
            
            
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Background
The CV-22 is the Special Operation Forces variant of the U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey. The first two test aircraft were delivered to Edwards Air Force Base, California in September 2000. The 58th Special Operations Wing at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico began CV-22 aircrew training with the first two production aircraft in August 2006.
The first operational CV-22 was delivered to Air Force Special Operations Command in January 2007. Initial operational capability was achieved in 2009. A total of 54 CV-22 aircraft are scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2021.General characteristicsPrimary function: Special operations forces long-range infiltration, exfiltration and resupplyBuilders: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., Amarillo, Texas; Boeing Company, Defense and Space Group, Helicopter Division, PhiladelphiaDeployment date: 2006Propulsion: Two Rolls-Royce Liberty AE1107C enginesThrust: more than 6,200 shaft horsepower per engineLength: 57’ 4”Height: 22’ 1”Wingspan: 83’ 10”Weight: maximum gross 60,500 pounds (self-deployment); 57,000 pounds (STOL); 52,600 (VTOL)Speed: maximum 280 knotsCeiling: 25,000 feet (7,620 meters)Range: combat radius of 500 nautical miles with one internal auxiliary fuel tankCrew: four (pilot, copilot and two flight engineers)Program of Record: 54 aircraft for the Air ForceRotor diameter: 38 feetArmament: one .50-caliber machine gun on rampPayload: 24 personnel (seated), 32 personnel (floor loaded) or 10,000 pounds of cargoUnit cost: $90 millionPoint of contact:
AFSOC Public Affairs, AFSOC.PA.ORG@us.af.mil, (850) 884-5515
(Current as of August 2020)
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