The Remarkable Evolution of VTOL Aircraft in the United States Military
When the US acquired the Harrier, they clearly obtained valuable intellectual property and technology. This acquisition marked a significant development in the country’s military capabilities, especially considering its history of obtaining groundbreaking technologies at no cost, such as the steam engine, jet engine, radar, and hovercraft.
The Harrier, though originally a British design, found its home in the United States. While the US played a significant role in its evolution, it was a British pilot who made headlines by landing a Harrier on top of shipping containers during a carrier operation in the middle of the Atlantic, despite losing communications and radar. Although the captain may not have been thrilled, the remarkable feat left a lasting impression. Compensation for the incident helped smooth things over.
The United States Marine Corps (USMC) initiated crew training for the MV-22B Osprey in 2000 and fully integrated it into their fleet by 2007. This innovative aircraft replaced their aging Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knights. In 2009, the U.S. Air Force (USAF) introduced its version of the tiltrotor, the CV-22B. Since entering service with the Marine Corps and Air Force, the Osprey has been deployed in various capacities, including transportation and medevac operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and Kuwait. Additionally, the U.S. Navy plans to employ the CMV-22B for carrier onboard delivery missions beginning in 2021.
The need for a versatile aircraft that could take off and land vertically, carry combat troops, and do so at high speed became evident after the failure of Operation Eagle Claw, the Iran hostage rescue mission in 1980. The United States Department of Defense responded by initiating the JVX aircraft program in 1981, led by the U.S. Army. This marked the beginning of a new era in vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft development, ultimately resulting in the innovative aircraft we see in service today.
