The reality is that the V‑22 is only marginally more capable than helicopters in terms of speed, range, and payload but costs four to five times as much. And despite more than 15 years of development and $12 billion spent, the Osprey is still in a test phase and nowhere near ready for operational deployment. Instead of admitting that the V‑22 program has failed and using the money to buy proven helicopters for the same missions, the Marine Corps, with considerable help from Congress, has kept the program alive–continually trying to fix various problems. But at least one problem–vortex ring state (VRS)–can never be fixed or eliminated. And “flying around” the VRS problem by slowing the descent rate of the V‑22 makes the Osprey more vulnerable than helicopters (despite claims that it is more survivable).
In short, the V‑22 Osprey is an albatross around the Pentagon’s and taxpayers’ necks. The program should be terminated.