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The Osprey
dropped by for a quick but important test.
"The test was to validate ground refueling from an MV-22 to an
F-35B, which is integral to the construct of the Marine Air Ground Task
Force," said USMC Maj. Adam Geitner, pilot and VMX-22 F-35 Detachment
Aircraft Maintenance officer.
The Marine Air-Ground Task Force is the organizational foundation for
all missions across the range of USMC military operations. MAGTFs are
a balanced air-ground, combined arms task organization of Marine Corps
forces under a single commander that is structured to accomplish a specific
mission.
"This was the first time an MV-22 has refueled an F-35. Both ground
refueling and air-to-air refueling are important pieces to the Marine
Corps' MAGTF operational construct. From a tactical point of view, the
MV-22 to F-35 ground refueling allows the Marine Corps to employ assets
in austere environments on a short notice without having to rely on
long-term planning and fixed facilities," Geitner said.
The one-hour test consisted of hooking up fuel transfer lines between
the two aircraft with the MV-22 fueling up the F-35B. The test validated
the equipment and procedures on both the F-35B and MV-22.
Geitner said the MV-22 Osprey has the ability to carry approximately
10,000 lbs. of fuel in its fuel containers loaded in the back of the
aircraft. This is coupled with approximately 12,000 lbs. carried internally,
which can either provide fuel to its own aircraft or to external aircraft
in air-to-air refueling operations.
Fuel was successfully transferred to the F-35, which taxied off back
to the Joint Operation Test Team area.
"The next step will be air-to-air refueling from an MV-22. This
is even more significant for the MAGTF when operating F-35s from [amphibious
assault ships] because it provides organic air-to-air refueling capability
that vastly extends the range of the aircraft and also provides operational
flexibility," said Geitner.
Previously, Marine AV-8B Harrier aircraft would require USMC KC-130s
to provide air-to-air refueling capabilities. However, they are limited
to land and when the amphibious assault ships are operating in either
blue water operations, or in regions that deny them access to land-based
air facilities, as it limits air-to-air refueling capabilities, Geitner
added.
"With the MV-22 being on the ship, co-located with the F-35, all
of those constraints with the KC-130 no longer apply."
The MV-22B Osprey is a tiltrotor vertical and/or short take-off and
landing aircraft that serves as the medium-lift assault support aircraft
for the Marines. The Osprey can operate as a helicopter or a turboprop
aircraft. It can transport troops, equipment and supplies from ships
and land bases for combat assault and support. |
