GAO Flags Osprey Failures and Communication Gaps
A new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) raises serious concerns about the long-standing operational reliability of the V-22 Osprey and the lack of information-sharing between military services that fly the tiltrotor aircraft. According to the GAO findings, detailed in an article titled “GAO: Services aren’t sharing information on longtime Osprey problems” published by Defense News, the troubled aircraft continues to face persistent mechanical issues that have endangered safety and mission capability, while institutional barriers hinder effective cross-service communication about these problems.
The GAO’s investigation revealed that four of the Osprey’s principal users—the U.S. Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and the Multi-National Forces—have failed to consistently share data, maintenance insights, and lessons learned regarding critical technical failures. This fractured approach has contributed to a system-wide knowledge gap that impedes efforts to diagnose and fix the root causes of recurring failures. Notably, the GAO noted that despite more than two decades of service, the aircraft’s readiness rates remain stubbornly low, hovering well below Department of Defense benchmarks.
The V-22 Osprey, a unique tiltrotor aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing like a helicopter while flying with the speed and range of a turboprop plane, has been plagued by serious technical problems since its inception. According to Defense News, the GAO report states that issues related to the aircraft’s clutch—a component critical to power transmission during transitions between rotor and flight modes—have raised particular alarm. While a temporary software mitigation has been implemented, the Air Force has acknowledged this is not a permanent solution and that a redesign may be necessary.
Beyond technical shortcomings, the GAO underscores a structural issue in how the Department of Defense manages shared platforms across multiple services. The current decentralized model allows each service to maintain its own data management and reporting practices. As a result, critical maintenance findings and operational lessons are not formally compiled or shared, depriving commanders and engineers of potential fixes and safety enhancements discovered by their counterparts in other branches.
The implications extend beyond mere inefficiencies. In recent years, several fatal Osprey crashes have occurred—raising concerns that poor communication and incomplete visibility into known issues may have contributed. The GAO report calls for the establishment of centralized oversight and data-sharing systems, specifically recommending the creation of a single point of accountability to track reliability issues and manage long-term modernization strategies across all operators.
The Defense Department, in response to the GAO’s recommendations, agreed in part, pledging to improve communication and explore options for unified oversight. However, it also pushed back on some proposals, arguing that each service’s operational requirements necessitate tailored approaches that a one-size-fits-all solution could compromise.
As the Pentagon continues to rely on the Osprey for expeditionary transport and special operations missions, the findings of the GAO report add pressure to reform the aircraft’s management while navigating complex interservice dynamics. The stakes remain high, with operational reliability, service member safety, and taxpayer investment all on the line.
