Since the early 1950s, Bell Helicopter started development of the tiltrotor concept starting with the XV-3, X-19 and X-22 with the goal of creating an aircraft that has the advantages of VTOL flight like a helicopter while attaining the speed and agility of a fixed-wing platform. These early developments showed promise as each gained more capabilities than the previous concept. The concept reached fruition with the XV-15 two-place aircraft which is being developed into the BA609 for commercial applications. For the US military however, the VX-15 lead to the first practical application, the V-22 Osprey.
While the V-22 experienced a number of teething problems as radical concepts will create, these problems were overcome and the Osprey has entered service with the US Air Force as the CV-22 and with the US Marine Corps as the MV-22B. The Osprey has served in combat operatons in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as with Special Operations Command.
