At 30, Osprey Matures Beyond Controversy to Become Most Sought-After U.S. Military Aircraft
By Dan Parsons | March 19, 2019
The V-22 Osprey's first flight on March 19, 1989.
Thirty years ago, on March 19, 1989, the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey first broke contact with the ground, initiating a program that would suffer tragic trials before entering service and becoming one of the most in-demand combat aircraft in the U.S. military fleet.
More than 375 Osprey tiltrotors — the only aircraft of its kind in service in the world — have since racked up 450,000 flight hours with the U.S. Marine Corps, Air Force Special Operations Command and the President’s airborne entourage.
https://www.rotorandwing.com/2019/03/19/v-22-osprey-turns-thirty/