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Opinion

Osprey Failures Killed 20 Troops in 4 Years, Reports Find

Osprey Failures Killed 20 Troops in 4 Years, Reports Find
A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey approaches to land at José Aponte de la Torre Airport, formerly Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, on Dec. 1, 2025. Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/Getty Images
Mike Fredenburg
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Commentary
The V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft’s persistent mechanical failures and safety risks have been confirmed and documented in a December 2025 Navy comprehensive review and a concurrent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report. These alarming evaluations detail accumulating drivetrain vulnerabilities, elevated accident rates, and oversight deficiencies, revealing a program where initial operational concepts overestimated the platform’s dual-role effectiveness as both a helicopter and airplane substitute. 
Mike Fredenburg
Mike Fredenburg
Author
Mike Fredenburg writes on military technology and defense matters with an emphasis on defense reform. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and master’s degree in production operations management.