Unleash the Tiltrotor: Born from the demands of the 1980s for an aircraft with both helicopter agility and fixed-wing speed, the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey remains a truly unique bird in the US arsenal. Declared operational in 2007, its revolutionary tiltrotor design - which allows it to take off and land vertically before rotating its enormous propellers for high-speed forward flight - has been instrumental in transporting troops and cargo across theaters like Iraq and Afghanistan for the Marine Corps (MV-22) and Air Force Special Operations (CV-22). Though it has a history of development and safety challenges, driving recent critical upgrades to its gearbox components, the Osprey continues to serve as a vital, long-range asset for special operations, assault support, and now Carrier Onboard Delivery for the Navy (CMV-22).

Learn more about the V-22 and 54 other aircraft in service with the U.S. Armed Forces in our Aircraft Recognition Playing Cards deck!