Defense & Military
NAVAIR V-22 Review Highlights 32 Fixes and Safety Risks
NAVAIR’s review finds rising safety risks in V-22 program, mandates 32 fixes including triple-melt steel gearboxes by 2026 for full flight operations.
NAVAIR V-22 Review: “Cumulative Risk” Warning and 32 Mandatory Fixes
Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) released the findings of its comprehensive review of the V-22 Osprey program on December 12, 2025. While the report reaffirmed the platform’s airworthiness under current strict operational controls, it delivered a stark assessment of the fleet’s safety culture, identifying a “cumulative risk posture” that has grown unchecked since the Military-Aircraft was first fielded.
The review, which covers variants flown by the Air Force (CV-22), Marine Corps (MV-22), and Navy (CMV-22), was triggered by a series of mishaps, including the catastrophic November 2023 crash of an Air-Forces CV-22B off the coast of Japan that resulted in the deaths of eight airmen. According to the findings, the program must implement 32 distinct recommendations to address systemic failures in safety, maintenance, and supply chain management.
Systemic Issues and “Cumulative Risk”
The core finding of the NAVAIR report is that safety risks within the V-22 program have been allowed to accumulate rather than diminish over time. In mature aircraft programs, risk profiles typically decrease as the platform ages and operators gain experience. However, the review concludes that the V-22’s risk profile has increased.
Data released in the report highlights a significant disparity in how quickly the V-22 program addresses critical issues compared to other naval aviation platforms:
- Resolution Time: Critical safety and technical issues on the V-22 have gone unresolved for an average of 10 years.
- Comparison: The average time to resolve similar risks in other naval aviation platforms is approximately six years.
- Risk Ranking: The V-22 currently holds the second-highest number of “catastrophic” risk factors across all Naval Aviation platforms.
The review suggests that these delays were exacerbated by “siloed operations,” criticizing the lack of coordination between the Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. Differing safety standards and maintenance procedures among the services contributed to a fragmented approach to fleet safety.
Material Failure Confirmed
The report definitively confirmed the cause of the November 2023 crash. Investigators identified a material failure in the proprotor gearbox (PRGB). Specifically, “inclusions”, impurities in the steel alloy gears, led to cracking and eventual failure of the component. This finding validates earlier concerns regarding the quality control of critical drive system components.
Technical Overhaul and “Triple-Melt” Steel
To address the material failures identified in the gearbox, the program is undertaking a significant Manufacturing shift. According to the review, the program is transitioning to a “triple-melt” (VIM-VAR-VAR) forging process for critical gear components.
This advanced manufacturing technique is designed to remove impurities from the alloy. NAVAIR estimates that this process will reduce the risk of inclusions by approximately 85% to 90%. The timeline for these technical upgrades is as follows:
- Summer 2025: Depot-level installation of the new “triple-melt” gears is scheduled to begin.
- 2026: Unrestricted flight operations are expected to resume, pending fleet-wide installation.
In addition to the gearbox metallurgy, the program is deploying a redesigned input quill assembly to mitigate “hard clutch engagements,” a historic mechanical issue for the Osprey. The fleet will also see the deployment of the Osprey Drive System Safety and Health Instrumentation (ODSSHI), a network of advanced sensors capable of monitoring vibration and gear health in real-time to alert crews of potential failures.
Operational Status and Restrictions
Despite the technical roadmap, the V-22 fleet remains under significant operational restrictions as of December 12, 2025. While the aircraft is deemed airworthy, the review mandates that flights generally remain within 30 minutes of a suitable divert airfield. This restriction ensures that pilots can land quickly if a mechanical issue arises.
Furthermore, the program has established a strict flight-hour threshold for proprotor gearboxes. Any aircraft exceeding this threshold must undergo rigorous inspections or component replacement before returning to flight.
“When the V-22 Enterprise does not actively manage risks… the risks compound, increasing the likelihood of a catastrophic event.”
— Vice Adm. John E. Dougherty, NAVAIR Commander
Organizational Changes
Beyond technical fixes, the review calls for a restructuring of how the V-22 program is managed. A key recommendation is the establishment of a joint “Readiness and Safety Steering Board.” This body will be responsible for enforcing uniform Standards across the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, reporting annually to top leadership to ensure accountability.
The report also outlines a shift toward a “proactive safety system.” This new approach aims to identify and fix mechanical issues before they lead to mishaps, moving the program away from the reactive posture that characterized the last decade.
AirPro News Analysis
The NAVAIR review represents a pivotal moment for the V-22 Osprey, a platform that has long been defined by its revolutionary tiltrotor capability and its troubled safety record. The admission of a “cumulative risk posture” is significant; it suggests that the bureaucracy surrounding the aircraft became desensitized to warning signs over the last decade.
While the technical solution, “triple-melt” steel, appears robust, the timeline suggests that the V-22 fleet will remain operationally hamstrung for at least another year. The challenge for NAVAIR will not just be manufacturing new gears, but enforcing the cultural changes required to break down the silos between the three services. If the new Safety Steering Board cannot enforce uniform standards, the technical upgrades may only solve part of the equation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the V-22 Osprey currently flying?
- Yes, but with restrictions. As of December 2025, the aircraft is restricted to flying within 30 minutes of a suitable divert airfield.
- What caused the November 2023 crash?
- The review confirmed the crash was caused by a material failure in the proprotor gearbox due to impurities (inclusions) in the steel alloy gears.
- When will the fleet return to full operations?
- Unrestricted flight operations are not expected to resume until 2026, following the installation of upgraded gearbox components.
Sources
Photo Credit: NAVAIR
Defense & Military
Gripen F Completes Inaugural Flight in Linköping Sweden
Saab and the Brazilian Air Force completed the first flight of the Gripen F two-seat fighter on August 28, 2026.
Saab and the Brazilian Air Force have successfully completed the inaugural flight of the Gripen F, the two-seat variant of the Gripen E fighter, initiating the airborne test campaign for the jointly developed aircraft.
The aircraft took off from Saab’s airfield in Linköping, Sweden, on August 28, 2026. In a press release issued today, the manufacturer confirmed the milestone advances a comprehensive technology transfer program designed to deliver both pilot training and full operational combat capabilities.
Inaugural flight and test campaign
The flight commenced at 09:40 local time and lasted 40 minutes. Saab Chief Test Pilot Jakob Högberg and Brazilian Air Force Test Pilot Lieutenant Colonel Aviator Abdon de Rezende Vasconcelos operated the aircraft.
Lars Tossman, Head of Business Area Aeronautics at Saab, highlighted the collaborative effort behind the milestone.
“This first flight represents an important step forward for both Saab and the Brazilian Air Force. Seeing Gripen F take to the skies is particularly significant for all the Swedish and Brazilian teams whose years of engineering work have helped turn this aircraft into a reality. It is designed to accelerate pilot training while and enhancing operational performance in advanced combat missions,” Tossman said.
The Gripen F test program will now transition into a progressive envelope expansion phase. Saab stated that upcoming flights will clear performance limits, including speed, altitude, G-load, and angle of attack, while evaluating the tactical systems of the independent rear cockpit.
Design specifications and Brazilian procurement
The Gripen F incorporates specific design modifications to accommodate a second crew member. According to Air Data News, the two-seat variant measures 15.9 meters in length, compared to the 15.2-meter single-seat Gripen E, and has a maximum takeoff weight of 16,500 kilograms. To make room for the rear cockpit, engineers omitted the internal 27 mm Mauser BK27 cannon found on the single-seat model. Despite this change, the aircraft retains full operational combat capability and utilizes the same General Electric F414G engine.
The development of the Gripen F is heavily tied to Brazilian defense procurement. Aviation Week reports that the Brazilian Air Force ordered eight Gripen F aircraft as part of a broader 36-aircraft contract signed in 2014. Saab officially presented the first Gripen F during a rollout ceremony in Linköping on June 2, 2026. The manufacturer noted that more than 350 Brazilian engineers, technicians, and pilots have participated in training and development activities for the program.
AirPro News analysis
We view the successful first flight of the Gripen F as a critical validation of the technology transfer agreement between Saab and its Brazilian partners, including Embraer. The integration of a fully combat-capable rear cockpit ensures the Brazilian Air Force can conduct advanced training while maintaining frontline fleet readiness. Delivering the two-seat variant on schedule strengthens Saab’s position in future export campaigns where dual-role trainer and combat aircraft are required.
Sources: Saab
Photo Credit: Saab
Defense & Military
Neura Defense Systems Rebrands as Volantyx Aerospace
Neura Defense Systems rebrands as Volantyx Aerospace to develop counter-UAS tech targeting RF-silent drone swarms.
Saint Petersburg, Florida-based Neura Defense Systems, Inc. announced on August 26, 2026, that it has rebranded as Volantyx Aerospace, Inc. to reflect its expansion from a single-product defense developer into a broader aerospace technology platform.
In a press release issued Wednesday, the company stated the original Neura Defense Systems name will be retained for its defense division and current operating business. The corporate restructuring aligns with the company’s focus on developing a distributed edge-intelligence architecture designed to counter autonomous, radio-frequency-silent drone swarms.
Addressing the RF-silent swarm-drone gap
Volantyx Aerospace is targeting a specific vulnerability in current counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) defense networks. Traditional detection and mitigation rely heavily on radio frequency (RF) signals, which are ineffective against pre-programmed or autonomous aircraft that do not emit such signals.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer Sam Talari explained the limitations of legacy systems in the company’s announcement, noting that the new architecture is built on the assumption that any single sensor can be degraded or absent.
An RF sensor cannot detect a signal that is not there, and a jammer cannot sever a control link that does not exist. We start from the aircraft’s physical signature instead — radar return, sound, heat, visual — and combine those into one track and one decision picture for the operator.
The company has filed 13 United States provisional patent applications covering multi-modal sensor fusion, distributed networking, cognitive command, and the detection of non-emitting aircraft. The resulting intelligence layer is designed to make decisions at the edge without cloud dependency while preserving a record of system observations.
Development timeline and market positioning
The rebranding occurs as federal investment in counter-UAS technologies accelerates. Volantyx Aerospace remains in the development stage, with its core capabilities currently undergoing hardware integration and field evaluation following initial tests in a controlled environment.
The company clarified in its release that it does not yet claim a fielded deployment, operational performance metrics, or a contract award. Volantyx Aerospace plans to begin manufacturing or supplying effectors in early 2027. The corporate name change is a structural adjustment for the Delaware corporation and does not alter existing agreements, obligations, or ownership.
AirPro News analysis
The transition from Neura Defense Systems to Volantyx Aerospace signals a strategic pivot to capture dual-use commercial and defense markets. As autonomous UAS capabilities proliferate, the reliance on RF jamming and detection is becoming a recognized vulnerability in airspace security. By focusing on multi-modal physical signatures, we view Volantyx’s approach as a necessary evolution in counter-UAS architecture. The company’s explicit acknowledgment that it lacks fielded deployments or contract awards underscores the significant gap between conceptual architecture and operational validation. The early 2027 target for effector manufacturing will be a critical milestone to monitor as the company attempts to transition from a development-stage startup to an active aerospace supplier.
Photo Credit: Neura Defense Systems, Inc.
Defense & Military
Lockheed Martin Offers Peru $1.8B F-16 Block 70 Offset Package
Lockheed Martin proposes a $1.8B industrial package for Peru’s F-16 Block 70 program, including UAS assembly and MRO expansion.
Lockheed Martin has outlined a $1.8 billion industrial and social collaboration package for Peru, designed to integrate local firms into the global aerospace supply chain as part of the country’s F-16 Block 70 procurement program.
Announced in a press release on August 26, 2026, the offset proposal follows the Peruvian government’s April 2026 decision to acquire an initial batch of 12 F-16 Block 70 aircraft. The comprehensive package aims to position Peru as a regional hub for advanced unmanned systems and aerospace services.
Expanding Peru’s aerospace industrial base
The proposed industrial agreement focuses heavily on technology transfer and domestic manufacturing. Key components include the domestic assembly of an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) tailored for the Latin American market, the establishment of joint research hubs, and the creation of a UAS Technical Institute. The package also outlines plans to expand Peru’s high-tech maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) footprint.
“As we collaborate with the local industry, we aim to deliver tangible, high-value opportunities that build a skilled workforce, enable knowledge transfer and create lasting economic impact on both sides of the partnership,” said Tara Lause, Vice President of Business Development for the Integrated Fighter Group at Lockheed Martin.
Lause added that the procurement creates enduring alliances and industrial collaboration opportunities with the United States and other partner nations.
Fleet modernization and electronic warfare capabilities
Peru is currently working to replace its aging fleet of Soviet-era MiG-29s and French Mirage 2000s. The F-16 Block 70 was selected over competing bids from Saab and Dassault. To equip the new fleet, the government of Peru selected L3Harris Technologies to provide its AN/ALQ-254(V)1 Viper Shield all-digital electronic warfare suite, a decision announced on August 17, 2026. The Viper Shield system provides advanced radar warning and jamming capabilities.
Lockheed Martin noted that the F-16 is currently operated by 29 countries, with a global fleet of 2,800 aircraft. Mike Shoemaker, Vice President of the Integrated Fighter Group at Lockheed Martin, stated that the selection highlights the aircraft’s operational performance and ability to meet pressing defense requirements.
AirPro News analysis
The announcement of a $1.8 billion industrial offset package is a strategic move by Lockheed Martin to solidify the F-16 Block 70 sale amid a complex political environment in Lima. While the Peruvian government selected the aircraft in April 2026, regional defense reporting indicates that the procurement process has encountered delays linked to ministerial resignations and defense budget debates. By offering substantial domestic manufacturing opportunities, including UAS assembly and MRO expansion, Lockheed Martin is providing Peruvian leadership with a strong economic justification to finalize the state-to-state contract. We view this comprehensive technology transfer as a critical lever in moving the procurement from selection to a finalized, funded agreement.
Sources: Lockheed Martin
Photo Credit: Lockheed Martin
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