> How long did it take it for the Osprey to make it into service?

I was curious so I went and looked;

1981 - Initial development contract awarded

1983 - Bell/Boeing submitted their prototype and since it was the only submission, they were awarded the contract

1985 - Osprey designation established, first full size prototypes under development

1988 - First Osprey was finished

1989 - First testing of the prototypes started and first flight in helicopter mode (several of the prototypes crashed)

1994 - Bell/Boeing received production contract for EMD phase

1997 - First EMD flight + more testing

2005 - Full rate production authorized

2007 - Marines began fielding them

They were still testing the various modes (carrier onboard deliveries, etc) into the 2020s but the most favorable case is that it took over 25 years from prototype to service.

These are nothing like the Osprey. The Osprey is way more complex. If one of the engines goes out on the Osprey, there is linkage that will allow the remaining engine to continue to power both rotors. Nevermind the mission profiles are completely different.

How long did the SR-71 take to make it into service? How long did the F-22 or F-35 take? None of those answers have anything to do with the other.

Worth noting that the Cold War ended in the middle of the Osprey's development, and the peace dividend really stretched out the timeline for a lot of programs of that era. With higher consistent funding like we're seeing now, stuff will probably be adopted faster

My father was a Marine in the late 80's, early 90's and would talk about the Osprey being in development. They were still in development 20 years later when I was a Marine. I did get to fly in one before getting out though.