Lack of Readiness, Cost of Osprey Aircraft Trouble Top Lawmaker

A former Marine helicopter pilot who’s now the House Republican military readiness boss Tuesday slammed the safety and readiness record of the V-22 Osprey as the Pentagon’s troubled program has seen its accident rate steadily increase in recent years.

“I remain convinced that the V-22 Osprey program is essential” but “I find the trends associated with the costs and mission capability rates particularly troubling,” Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Mich.), chairman of the House Armed Services Readiness subcommittee, said Tuesday in his opening statement for a hearing reviewing the controversial $56 billion program.

The Osprey faces “readiness challenges due to its complex ...