The odd-looking aircraft, the MV-22B "Opsrey", seen escorting US President Barack Obama's "Marine One" helicopter during his visit to Malacanang, is not a first time visitor in Philippine airspace.
The "Osprey" had its Philippine debut during "Balikatan 2013" which started last April 5 to 17.
Aside from this, the aircraft played a major role in early part of the relief stage for the victims of Supertyphoon "Yolanda" last Nov. 8.
The MV-22Bs is world's first-ever tilt-rotor aircraft.
The "Osprey" also features both a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), and short takeoff and landing (STOL) capability.
It is designed to combine the functionality of a conventional helicopter with the long-range, high-speed cruise performance of a turboprop aircraft.
The MV-22B originated from the United States Department of Defense joint-service vertical take-off/landing experimental (JVX) aircraft program started in 1981.
The team of Bell Helicopter and Boeing Helicopters was awarded a development contract in 1983 for the tiltrotor aircraft.
The Bell Boeing team jointly produce the aircraft.
The MV-22 first flew in 1989, and began flight testing and design alterations; the complexity and difficulties of being the first tiltrotor intended for military service in the world led to many years of development.
The United States Marine Corps began crew training for the "Osprey" in 2000, and fielded it in 2007; it is supplementing and will eventually replace their CH-46 "Sea Knights".
The MV-22B's other operator, the US Air Force, fielded their version of the tiltrotor in 2009.
Since entering service with the US Marine Corps and Air Force, the aircraft has been deployed in both combat and rescue operations over Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=638890
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