How Much Does The MV-22B Osprey Cost?

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Today, the news is reporting that a US military MV-22B Osprey has had a "mishap" near the cost of Australia.

The "mishap" appears to have destroyed the aircraft, and multiple members of the crew are still missing, although most have been rescued safely.

Hopefully, all crew members will be rescued soon.

How much does the MV-22B Osprey Cost?

The MV-22B Osprey is a part of a larger program, the V-22 Osprey program, which began in the 1980s. The program began after a hostage situation in Iran, where a vertical takeoff/landing vehicle was needed.

The Osprey is special among aircraft because it's able to fly like a plane, but it can take off and land in small areas much like a helicopter. This makes it an important tool for the US military.

According to The Squander, the MV-22B Osprey costs a whopping $72 million dollars to build and prepare for use. That is around double the cost of a traditional helicopter with the same payload and functionality.

In fact, the V-22 Osprey program is extremely large, and significantly over budget.

In the 1980s when the Osprey was first designed, the entire program was estimated at $2 billion. However, to date the military has spent over $30 billion on the program, and will likely spend $30 billion more over the life of the Osprey.

In addition to original cost, the MV-22B Osprey is not cheap to maintain. It can cost $50 million+ to maintain the aircraft over its lifetime, according to The Squander.

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