V-22

The V-22A Program Element (PE 0604262N) is a joint Department of the Navy-led initiative focused on the research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) of the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. The primary goal of this program is to provide a vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) aircraft capable of meeting the amphibious and vertical assault needs of the Marine Corps, carrier onboard delivery requirements of the Navy, and special operations missions of the Air Force and United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). The program encompasses the development, testing, and fielding of multiple V-22 variants, including the MV-22, CMV-22, and CV-22, each tailored to specific service requirements.

Project Unit 1425: V-22 is primarily responsible for ongoing airframe and propulsion hardware development, software upgrades, and system integration. Key objectives include the correction of deficiencies, obsolescence management, and the implementation of Block B and Block C upgrades. These upgrades are designed to enhance the aircraft's suitability, effectiveness, and interoperability through a spiral acquisition strategy. FY 2026 activities focus on continued development for the CMV-22, addressing obsolescence, modular avionics, cyber security, and fuel cell redesign. The project also supports engineering and testing required to maintain and improve mission readiness and safety, such as the Osprey Drive System Safety Health Indicator and flight control system safety initiatives.

Project Unit 3090: V-22 Improvement Program addresses both near-term and long-term product improvements to ensure the V-22 fleet remains operationally relevant and safe. This includes hardware and software development for increased performance, avionics upgrades, and enhanced system processing capabilities. FY 2026 priorities include airframe hardware development for reliability improvements, digital interoperability, and safety enhancements. The project also funds propulsion system development and flight control system redesign to address obsolescence and improve handling. Open systems architecture and cyber security initiatives are included to mitigate hardware and software obsolescence. The program also supports the development and integration of the Joint Avionics Reconfigurable Virtual Information System (JARVIS), although this effort is being phased out in FY 2026.

Development Support, Test, and Evaluation activities are integral to both Project Units 1425 and 3090. These efforts fund government and contractor engineering, follow-on test and evaluation (FOT&E), developmental test and engineering (DT&E), and operational test and evaluation (OT&E) for V-22 flight events. Objectives include risk reduction, oversight, and validation of new hardware and software upgrades, as well as support for mission systems updates, sea trial envelope expansion, and drive train characterization. These activities ensure that new capabilities and safety improvements are thoroughly tested before fleet integration.

Open Systems Architecture and Cyber Security initiatives are critical for ensuring the V-22 platform remains resilient to evolving threats and can rapidly incorporate new technologies. The program is focused on developing non-proprietary, modular hardware and software architectures that facilitate obsolescence mitigation, enhance survivability, and enable robust cyber-resilient interoperability. FY 2026 efforts include the redesign of cockpit display units and continued development of Ethernet backbone and expansion devices to support distributed processing and future upgrades.

Congressional Adds (Project 9999) in FY 2024 provided targeted funding for the thermoplastics ice protection demonstration. The goal of this effort is to design and develop an advanced ice protection system using thermoplastic materials, which aims to improve the V-22's operational capability in adverse weather conditions. This congressional add reflects a specific interest in advancing material science solutions to enhance aircraft safety and mission effectiveness.