French May Certify MV-22 For Flight Deck Operations on Mistral-Class Amphibs

[F-22Raptor]

The French Navy is studying certifying the U.S. Marines’ MV-22 Osprey for operations on the French Mistral-class amphibious warship, after a successful July 5 test.

The French Navy’s Naval Aviation Practical Experimentation Center (Centre d’Expérimentations Pratiques de l’Aéronautique Navale) conducted testing off the coast of Djibouti in East Africa, where both France and the United States have a permanent military presence.

According to an announcement by the French Ministry of Defense (MOD), Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed aboard the USS Essex (LHD-2) flew to the Dixmude (L9015) for the interoperability certification event. Whereas the MV-22 had already landed on Dixmude in a test last year, according to Navy Recognition, this month’s event tested the overall ability to operate on the ship, not just land.

The French team watched the Ospreys embark and disembark personnel, refuel and park on the deck with the engines off, according to the MOD announcement. They measured the deck temperature throughout the event, as the heat generated by the Osprey is one of the limiting factors for where it can operate. With all planned maneuvers successfully completed, the French testers will review their data and make a decision on whether to certify the aircraft for future operations on the Mistral-class ships.

The Marines are working to achieve greater interoperability with their NATO counterparts. Among the efforts is the Allied Maritime Basing Initiative, in which an American Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Crisis Response unit, which includes an MV-22, will deploy aboard a European amphibious ship. France is among the countries expected to participate in this experiment. The foreign ships will not only have to handle the Osprey’s heat and extreme downwash, but will also need enough space to handle flight deck operations, refueling, maintenance and other shipboard needs.

French May Certify MV-22 For Flight Deck Operations on Mistral-Class Amphibs - USNI News

 

[Penguin]

In January 2014 a United States Marine Corps (USMC) V22 Osprey landed for the first time onboard the Dixmude, a French Navy Mistral class LHD. The success of this experiment confirmed the full interoperability of Mistral class amphibious vessels with the means implemented by American Expeditionary Strike Groups. The French LHD are indeed fully interoperable with LCAC landing crafts, with heavy helicopters (Sikorsky CH53 Sea Stallion) and now with the Bell-Boeing V22 Osprey tilt rotor aircraft.

USMC V22 Osprey conducted deck trials onboard French Navy's Mistral Class LHD Dixmude

USA & France Take Interoperability A Step Further With USMC V22 Tests On Board Mistral Class LHD
The MV-22 Operates off the Dixmude | SLDInfo

On July 5th, the French Navy Naval Aviation Practical Experimentation Center (centre d’expérimentations pratiques de l’aéronautique navale - CEPA) led a certification campaign of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) Boeing V-22 Osprey tilt rotor aircraft on the Mistral class LHD Dixmude. The tests took place off the coast of Djibouti, an East Africa country where both France and the USA have permanent bases.

USA & France Take Interoperability A Step Further With UMSC V22 Tests On Board Mistral Class LHD

 

[Taygibay]

Good catch F22-Raptor man! And return by Penguin!
I talked to the Tonnerre aero crew last summer ( '14 ) about their 2011 encounter with the Osprey and Stallion.
The metrics and rules had yet to be established for certification but they felt secure hosting either.
The 53 is a tight fit in the hangar deck and a problem on the lift but the MV is all good and clear.

Good evening both, Tay.

 

[Penguin]

Big picture: USMC will be stationing more on odd ships and ships of other NATO nations e.g. Spain, Netherlans, UK ...

The Marine Corps is experimenting with the interoperability of its Marine Air Ground Task Forces (MAGTFs) with various non-traditional platforms, including rarely-used 1980s logistics ships and foreign navies’ amphibious ships, to help get its land-based units back out to sea.

Marines Testing Operating from Foreign Ships, Near-Forgotten Platforms to Bring Units Back to Sea - USNI News

The test is an important milestone leading up to operational tests set to take place in Europe this fall as leaders look to deploy Marines aboard NATO allies' ships. As part of what leaders are calling the Allied Maritime Basing Initiative, Marines will conduct Osprey certifications in September aboard an Italian amphib. More qualification will be conducted aboard a British gator in November. Other testing, still being planned, will include ships from the Spanish, French and Dutch navies.

Marines conduct first Osprey tests aboard Dutch ships

Marines to deploy aboard European allies' ships

Starting this fall, Marines will operate aboard NATO ships as the Corps seeks to fill gaps in sea-basing options in and around Europe. First up will be an Italian ship in September, followed by a British gator in November as Marines test what's called the Allied Maritime Basing Initiative.
During testing they'll board Spanish, French and Dutch ships, said Brig. Gen. Norm Cooling, the deputy commander of Marine Forces Europe and Africa, although details are still being hashed out.
"They all have ships that could potentially carry an alert force with an Osprey," he said.
The main goal is to devise plans to better offset the Navy and Marine Corps' amphibious ship shortage that Cooling said has limited Marines' ability to quickly respond to crises in Europe and Africa.
Placing Marines aboard NATO allies' ships will not only allow them to reach flashpoints faster, but will reassure European partners that the U.S. is close at hand to counter Russian saber-rattling.
...
Cooling said Marines will have to be sure the ships are compatible with the MV-22B Osprey aircraft, which has "unique requirements on deck strength." They'll test whether allied ships can handle the weight, heat and pressure the tiltrotor aircraft generates. It will also need to fit in a ship's hangar.
...
Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa will be the unit most likely to participate in the first rounds of the Allied Maritime Basing Initiative.
Stood up in 2013, the 1,700-person force was meant to compensate for the relocation of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit to the U.S. Central Command area of operations. The land-based unit is split between Spain, Italy and Romania.
The unit can assemble and deploy to hot spots in Africa quickly, but getting there can be tricky.
...
"Historically we had a MEU aboard an [Amphibious Ready Group] located in the [Mediterranean Sea], but requirements elsewhere globally have taken that resource out of Med where it was readily available for deployment to European and Africa Command," he said.
Basing Marine grunts, aviators and aircraft on an allied ships in the region could decrease ... transit times significantly.
"We are looking for alternatives because there is not much amphibious shipping for European Command," Cooling said. "Working with some partner nations, we could put our forces aboard their maritime platforms and it is consistent with NATO interoperability objectives."

Marines to deploy aboard European allies' ships

AUSA Sustaining Member Resource Guide - Marines conduct first Osprey tests aboard Dutch ships

Osprey landing on board Dutch RNthNS Karel Doorman (JSS), of which USMC soldiers considered accommodations to be relatively luxurious. Replenishment aside, she's designed to handle Chinooks and intended for seabasing / strategic lift.
Amerikaanse mariniers verheugen zich op luxe Europese marineschepen

 

[Penguin]

 

[Penguin]

Other Dutch ships are also Chinook capable, and possibly could handle V-22 e.g. Johan de Witt LPD. (Note the Brits in the back: Albion and Bay classes)