Why the US Navy moved carrier delivery toward V-22

Why has the US Navy moved from aircraft such as the S-3 and C-2 toward helicopters and the V-22?

The answer favors helicopters for ASW and identifies the CMV-22B's heavy lift and vertical delivery as advantages, while retaining C-2 backup during the transition.

The answer treats helicopter ASW and carrier delivery as separate missions. Helicopters can perform the former, while the CMV-22B Osprey combines substantial lift with the ability to land on an available deck spot without occupying the carrier's runway, although it must still coordinate with the landing pattern. A gradual transition with C-2 Greyhounds available preserves a fallback while V-22 problems are addressed. The panel questions a reduction from 48 planned aircraft to 44, arguing that it leaves less margin for maintenance and operational demands. Production changes mean newer V-22s differ from earlier aircraft, but nacelle heat and vulnerability to heat-seeking weapons remain concerns in the discussion. Catapult launches and arrested landings also impose fatigue costs that the comparison includes in replacement calculations.