V-22 OSPREY AIRCRAFT PROGRAM.

SEC. 123. V-22 OSPREY AIRCRAFT PROGRAM. The production rate for V-22 Osprey aircraft may not be increased above the minimum sustaining production rate for which funds are authorized to be appropriated by this Act until the Secretary of Defense certifies to Congress that successful operational testing of the aircraft demonstrates that— (1) the solutions to the problems regarding the reliability of hydraulic system components and flight control software that were identified by the panel appointed by the Secretary of Defense on January 5, 2001, to review the V-22 aircraft program are adequate to achieve low risk for crews and passengers aboard V-22 aircraft that are operating under operational conditions; (2) the V-22 aircraft can achieve reliability and maintain-ability levels that are sufficient for the aircraft to achieve operational availability at the level required for fleet aircraft; (3) the V-22 aircraft will be operationally effective— (A) when employed in operations with other V—22 aircraft; and (B) when employed in operations with other types of aircraft; and (4) the V-22 aircraft can be operated effectively, taking into consideration the down wash effects inherent in the operation of the aircraft, when the aircraft— (A) is operated in remote areas with unimproved terrain and facilities; (B) is deploying and recovering personnel— (i) while hovering within the zone of ground effect; and (ii) while hovering outside the zone of ground effect; and (C) is operated with external loads.