USMC V22 Osprey conducted deck trials onboard French Navy's Mistral Class LHD Dixmude
 
In January 2014 a United States Marine Corps (USMC) V22 Osprey landed for the first time onboard the Dixmude, a French Navy Mistral class LHD. The success of this experiment confirmed the full interoperability of Mistral class amphibious vessels with the means implemented by American Expeditionary Strike Groups. The French LHD are indeed fully interoperable with LCAC landing crafts, with heavy helicopters (Sikorsky CH53 Sea Stallion) and now with the Bell-Boeing V22 Opsrey tilt rotor aircraft.
In January 2014 a United States Marine Corps (USMC) V22 Osprey landed for the first time onboard the Dixmude, a French Navy Mistral class LHD. The success of this experiment confirmed the full interoperability of Mistral class amphibious vessels with the means implemented by American Expeditionary Strike Groups. The French LHD are indeed fully interoperable with LCAC landing crafts, with heavy helicopters (Sikorsky CH53 Sea Stallion) and now with the Bell-Boeing V22 Opsrey tilt rotor aircraft.
 
a
Naval Forces News - France, USA
 
 
 
USMC V22 Osprey conducted deck trials onboard French Navy's Mistral Class LHD Dixmude
 
In January 2014 a United States Marine Corps (USMC) V22 Osprey landed for the first time onboard the Dixmude, a French Navy Mistral class LHD. The success of this experiment confirmed the full interoperability of Mistral class amphibious vessels with the means implemented by American Expeditionary Strike Groups. The French LHD are indeed fully interoperable with LCAC landing crafts, with heavy helicopters (Sikorsky CH53 Sea Stallion) and now with the Bell-Boeing V22 Opsrey tilt rotor aircraft.
     
In January 2014 a United States Marine Corps (USMC) V22 Osprey landed for the first time onboard the Dixmude, a French Navy Mistral class LHD. The success of this experiment confirmed the full interoperability of Mistral class amphibious vessels with the means implemented by American Expeditionary Strike Groups. The French LHD are indeed fully interoperable with LCAC landing crafts, with heavy helicopters (Sikorsky CH53 Sea Stallion) and now with the Bell-Boeing V22 Opsrey tilt rotor aircraft.
A USMC V22 Osprey onboard the French Navy Dixmude LHD
Picture: French Navy
     
For about two hours several deck landings were conducted in order to perform environmental surveys. These have allowed the French Navy experimental squadron to validate the V22 operations according to the specific aerology of the French LHD and to fine tune the landing zones on the vessel.

Given the mass, dimensions, blast and heat produced by the tiltrotor aircraft, this first experiment was delicate. Mistral class vessels, the number 1 landing sport located at the bow is reinforced for heavy helicopters. Mistral LHDs are used to accommodate NH90 Caiman helicopters weighing up to 10 tons fully loaded but the V22 which landed weighed 22 tonnes.
     
In January 2014 a United States Marine Corps (USMC) V22 Osprey landed for the first time onboard the Dixmude, a French Navy Mistral class LHD. The success of this experiment confirmed the full interoperability of Mistral class amphibious vessels with the means implemented by American Expeditionary Strike Groups. The French LHD are indeed fully interoperable with LCAC landing crafts, with heavy helicopters (Sikorsky CH53 Sea Stallion) and now with the Bell-Boeing V22 Opsrey tilt rotor aircraft.
A USMC V22 Osprey conducted qualification trials with the French Navy Dixmude LHD
Picture: French Navy
     

Two French Navy test pilots (one from an experimental squadron, CEPA/10S, the other from the French Procurement Agency DGA) were present onboard the V22 to observe and assist the USMC crew in the maneuvers. According to the commander of CEPA/10S and flight test engineer, "with this first phase we validated the location, refined procedures and performed environmental measures primarily of wind and temperature. Although we had little concern about it, these experiments confirm the ability of Mistral class LHDs to accomodate the V22 in acceptable security conditions from the vessel perspective as well as from the aircraft perspective."

"The success of this step is a further milestone in enhancing interoperability between the French and American navies and allows to consider a wider approval of the platform for this type of aircraft," concluded Captain Pierre de Briançon, Commanding Officer of the Dixmude LHD.

Link to V22 Osprey technical datasheet