Tested in combat and other military operations worldwide, the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey shines through every mission as an invaluable machine, ready to serve warfighters in any environment. With long-range, a large payload, and spacious fuselage, the platform is designed to move people and cargo wherever it’s needed as quickly as possible. That’s why this renowned military aircraft has had remarkable success during humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts. Looking at how it can be used for a potential natural disaster that affects the sprawling islands of Indonesia, WBB consultants examined just how useful this aircraft can be in times of distress.

In a completed report commissioned by Bell that analyzes the effect of an earthquake and tsunami off the Indonesian southern coasts of Lombok and West Sumbawa, the Bell Boeing V-22 stands out as the most capable aircraft to support disaster relief over a far distance. In this scenario, the aircraft would work from Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) for 24-48 hours while assessing the disaster impact on Lombok and Sumbawa. It would then transition to relief operations to the immediate vicinity of the disaster area, delivering critical supplies and evacuating at-risk personnel.

Compared to other platforms, the MV-22 can deploy directly to disaster area without little to any fuel stops. Its range, speed and endurance result in nearly twice as many cargo delivery sorties and over twice as many passengers evacuated as comparable medium lift helicopters. The V-22 Osprey has proven its success as a humanitarian and medical evacuation asset in actual, critical scenarios. This study further reinforces that the V-22 is the ideal aircraft for disaster relief missions over a large amount of terrain.