TOKYO — The iconic V-22 Osprey has once again found itself on the ground, with both the United States military and Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) halting flights amid rising safety concerns. The decision to suspend operations was announced following incidents involving the aircraft's safety record — which has long been the subject of scrutiny.
The decision by Japan to ground all 17 Ospreys follows the U.S. military's similar action, taken precautionarily after what was described as a recent near-crash. Vice Adm. Carl Chebi, who leads the oversight of the Osprey program with the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), emphasized the pause as necessary “out of an abundance of caution.” The Marine Corps initiated its suspension on the 8th of November, and the Navy and Air Force soon followed suit, with each branch set to investigate the cause of the metal failures reported within the aircraft.
This latest grounding order from the GSDF is particularly noteworthy as it follows just weeks after the resumption of their operations, which had been suspended after precautionary measures were implemented post-incident at Okinawa Prefecture last October. The military officials stressed, only mercy flights—those related to disaster relief—will be permitted during this suspension.
Concerns surrounding the Osprey are not new. A recent investigation revealed a surge of safety issues over the last five years, where the aircraft's unique design—capable of transitioning between helicopter and airplane modes—has been cited as one of the main contributors to accidents. Lawmakers have also expressed their fears, urging Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to ground the entire Osprey fleet until these pressing safety and design issues are fully addressed.
One of the incidents prompting this precaution was reported on November 20, 2024, at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, where the aircraft experienced engine troubles shortly after takeoff but, thankfully, managed to land safely. The occurrence was reminiscent of another tragic accident off Japan’s coast back in November 2022, which took the lives of eight service members from the Air Force Special Operations Command. Investigations at the time linked the crash directly to metal components within the Osprey’s transmission weakening and failing due to identified defects.
Investigation findings revealed metal inclusions—weak points resulting from foreign materials mixing during manufacturing procedures—that can precipitate catastrophic failures. The transmission system, particularly sensitive to such flaws, has prompted both the military and Bell Flight, the manufacturer's assembly partner, to forge collaborations aimed at strengthening metal materials utilized.
Reports indicate this recent grounding marks the latest chapter of safety concerns surrounding the Osprey's operational impact. An alarming toll of 64 fatalities and 93 injuries over its operational period is indicative of its myriad struggles. These issues have elicited international worry, as seen when Japan's military previously grounded its fleet after one of its Ospreys tilted uncontrollably on takeoff.
Lt. Gen. Michael Conley, who heads the Air Force Special Operations Command, has since directed all Osprey training flights to be put on hold to allow for thorough investigations. The pause, as described by AFSOC's spokeswoman Lt. Col. Becky Heyse, is aimed to “understand what happened” and assess the landslide of safety concerns properly.
While officials work tirelessly to address these issues, the timeline for resuming flight operations remains uncertain. What’s clear is the rising tide of skepticism surrounding the Osprey program. And as Japan’s Self-Defense Forces navigate these waters, both they and their American counterparts face pressure to resolve grave safety issues before additional tragedies can occur.
Such incidents raise larger questions about the integration of advanced military technologies and the discerning balance required to uphold safety alongside innovation. With the specter of past failures weighing heavily, the focus tightens on ensuring every flight is as safe as it is effective, reflecting broader impacts both domestically and internationally.