Japan officially takes delivery of first Bell Boeing tiltrotor aircraft V-22 for Japanese Self Defense Force.

A V-22 Osprey aircraft bound for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) based at Camp Kisarazu departs Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, July 10, 2020, to mark the official delivery of the first V-22 to the Japan Self Defense Force. Japan has purchased the American V-22 to improve its amphibious and naval warfare capabilities.
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A V-22 Osprey aircraft bound for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) based at Camp Kisarazu departs Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, July 10, 2020. (Picture source U.S. Navy)

The Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force plans to have 17 Ospreys at the camp for up to five years until they are permanently stationed to an airport in the southwestern prefecture of Saga. According to the Defense Ministry, GSDF will start flights of the Ospreys as early as August after undergoing a month of maintenance checks. Taking into account of strong local concerns and oppositions, it may start with basic, on-base training and widen the flight area gradually.

In May 2020, Japan has taken delivery of the first two V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. In 2015, Japan has ordered 12 units of the V-22, and it was the first foreign customer of the tiltrotor aircraft. More than 200 have been built by Bell-Boeing and used by the U.S. Marines, Navy and Air Force. many foreigne countries have shown interest to purchase the V-22 including Israel, India, Indonesia, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates.

The V-22 Osprey is an American multi-mission, tiltrotor military aircraft manufactured by the American company Bell Boeing. It has both vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), and short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities. It is designed to combine the functionality of a conventional helicopter with the long-range, high-speed cruise performance of a turboprop aircraft.

The Osprey is a tiltrotor aircraft with a 38-foot rotor system and engine/transmission nacelle mounted on each wing tip. It can operate as a helicopter when taking off and landing vertically. Once airborne, the nacelles rotate forward 90 degrees for horizontal flight, converting the V-22 to a high-speed, fuel-efficient turboprop airplane. The wing rotates for compact storage aboard ship.

The U.S. Marine Corps is the lead service in the development of the Osprey. The Marine Corps version, the MV-22B, is an assault transport for troops, equipment and supplies, and will be capable of operating from ships or from expeditionary airfields ashore. The Navy's CMV-22B will provide combat search and rescue, delivery and retrieval of special warfare teams along with fleet logistic support transport. The CV-22B is the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) variant of the U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey. The mission of the CV-22B is to conduct long-range infiltration, exfiltration and resupply missions for special operations forces.