Israel steps back from V-22 purchase

via Flight Global

The Israeli air force has frozen its evaluation of the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, with a senior defence source indicating that the tiltrotor is unable to perform some missions currently conducted using its Sikorsky CH-53 transport helicopters.

In January 2014, the US Department of Defense notified Congress about its intention to sell six V-22s to Israel. This followed an evaluation conducted by air force personnel, which led to the service seeking a rapid acquisition to support special operations. The proposed purchase met with opposition from elsewhere within Israel's defence ministry, however.

Other potential candidates to replace the Israeli air force's aged CH-53s by around 2025 include Sikorsky's new CH-53K and the Boeing CH-47 Chinook.

Story here. 

This is beyond interesting.  It confirms everything we've said on these pages and is another data point for future purchases by the USMC.

It can't perform some missions performed currently by it's Sikorsky CH-53 helicopters.

Why is this stunning?

Because Israel doesn't operate the CH-53E model.  They're all D's!  That's the highly maneuverable but not quite as powerful twin engine model!

If the V-22 can't do what that elderly airplane can do then that says something....something bad...very bad.