Key Takeaways
- •House members expressed bipartisan commitment to codify V-22 safety and readiness improvements into the upcoming National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
- •Ms. Diana Moldafsky (Witness) reported V-22 serious accident rates rose sharply in 2023-2024, with 28 system safety risks remaining unresolved for an average of nine years.
- •Jack Bergman (R) questioned if a 60% mission-capable rate was acceptable, with Vice Admiral John Dougherty (Witness) stating current rates are below targets.
- •Republicans and Democrats largely agreed on the V-22 program's persistent safety and readiness challenges, emphasizing the need for urgent, systemic improvements and congressional oversight.
- •John Garamendi (D) requested witnesses provide specific legislative suggestions by month's end to accelerate V-22 upgrades and address identified safety issues.
Read the full transcript
Starting at $350/mo
- Full hearing transcripts
- Speaker timestamps with video verification
- Organization & competitor mentions
- Same-day delivery
- Personalized summaries
30-day money-back guarantee on all paid plans.
Hearing Analysis
Overview
On February 10, 2026, the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, in coordination with the Subcommittee on Readiness, held a hearing titled "V-22 Program Update." The hearing was convened to conduct oversight of the V-22 Osprey program following a series of fatal accidents, most notably a November 2023 crash off the coast of Japan that led to a fleet-wide grounding. The session focused on the findings of two major reports: a comprehensive review by Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and a safety report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO).
The hearing opened with remarks from Rep. Trent Kelly (R-MS-1) and Ranking Member Joe Courtney (D-CT-2), who emphasized that while the V-22 provides a unique tiltrotor capability essential for modern missions, its safety record and mission-capable rates are currently unacceptable. Rep. Courtney drew parallels between the V-22’s systemic issues and the 2017 collisions of the USS Fitzgerald and USS McCain, suggesting that legislative intervention might be necessary to codify safety reforms. Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI-1), Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee, expressed concern over the 30 percent increase in operating and maintenance costs per flight hour over the last four years and the prevalence of "hangar queens"—aircraft being cannibalized for parts to keep the rest of the fleet operational.
Key Testimony
Vice Admiral John Dougherty, Commander of Naval Air Systems Command, testified that safety remains the department's top priority. He reported that of the 32 recommendations in the NAVAIR comprehensive review, 24 have already been closed. He highlighted the establishment of the Joint V-22 Leadership Forum to improve cross-service communication. Admiral Dougherty and Brigadier General David Walsh, Program Executive Officer for Air Anti-Submarine Warfare, Assault & Special Mission Programs, detailed several technical fixes currently underway. These include fielding a redesigned proprotor gearbox using "triple-melt" steel to mitigate material impurities and qualifying a new input quill assembly to eliminate "hard clutch engagements," a known mechanical failure point. General Walsh also mentioned the "Odyssey" drive system safety and health information system, which provides maintainers with better data on gearbox vibrations.
Ms. Diana Moldafsky, Director of Defense Capabilities and Management at the GAO, provided a more critical assessment. She testified that serious accident rates (Class A and B) for the Marine Corps and Air Force rose sharply in 2023 and 2024, exceeding the rates of most other Navy and Air Force aircraft. A primary concern for the GAO was the existence of 28 unresolved system safety risks, some of which have remained open for an average of nine years. Ms. Moldafsky also pointed to significant communication gaps, noting that hazard and accident data are often "stovepiped" within individual services, leaving units to rely on informal networks rather than formalized joint sharing of emergency procedures.
The subcommittee members pressed the witnesses on the current state of readiness. General Walsh confirmed that the Marine Corps' mission-capable rate for the Osprey is approximately 50 percent, while Admiral Dougherty stated the Navy's rate is currently around 40 percent. Rep. Bergman and Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA-3) questioned the effectiveness of the Joint Program Office (JPO) in managing a disaggregated maintenance system. Rep. Higgins advocated for a more streamlined, real-time data-sharing system for maintainers, similar to civilian mechanical databases, to ensure that fixes found in one unit are immediately accessible to others.
A significant portion of the discussion centered on the future of the platform. Despite the safety concerns, Admiral Dougherty stated that the V-22 is expected to fly into the 2050s. To support this, the department is planning a mid-life service upgrade and a modernization plan known as "REVAMP." Rep. Jennifer Kiggans (R-VA-2), a former helicopter pilot, questioned the witnesses on aircrew confidence. Admiral Dougherty maintained that confidence remains high, though he acknowledged that operational pauses have impacted training hours.
Overview
Partisan dynamics were largely absent, as members from both parties focused on the safety of service members and the fiscal sustainability of the program. Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA-8), Ranking Member of the Readiness Subcommittee, expressed frustration with the timeline for upgrades, stating that waiting until 2033 or 2034 for full retrofits was "not acceptable." He formally requested that the witnesses provide specific legislative recommendations by the end of the month to help accelerate these safety improvements through the upcoming National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
The hearing concluded with a commitment from the subcommittees to work with the GAO and the Department of Defense to codify safety recommendations into law. Rep. Kelly and Rep. Courtney indicated that the committee would look to the 2017 surface fleet reforms as a model for ensuring that the V-22 program undergoes a permanent, systemic shift toward better risk management and inter-service transparency. The witnesses agreed to provide further data on cost-effectiveness and specific legislative needs to support the program's long-term viability.
Transcript
...identified long-standing mechanical reliability issues, particularly in the drivetrain, as well as high maintenance demands, parts shortages, and challenges in sustainment and data use. Both reviews also underscored the importance of disciplined risk management and clear communication across the Joint Program Office and the services. We must put these challenges into perspective. Operators still have missions, and these material issues have contributed to low mission-capable rates across the fleet. As the department approaches the end of V-22 production, it is essential that ongoing reliability upgrades and sustainment reforms are fully implemented and sustained. The men and women who fly and maintain this aircraft deserve confidence that safety remains a top priority, and we need these aircraft for operational requirements. We appreciate our witnesses joining us here today and look forward to their testimony as we continue our oversight of this important program. I'd like it to turn it over to Ranking Member Joe Courtney of the Seapower and Projection Forces next.
Read the full transcript
Starting at $350/mo
- Full hearing transcripts
- Speaker timestamps with video verification
- Organization & competitor mentions
- Same-day delivery
- Personalized summaries
30-day money-back guarantee on all paid plans.
Not ready to subscribe?
Get a free daily digest with hearing summaries ranked by relevance.
Already have an account? Log in
