Bell-Boeing gets $366 million Osprey contract modification

A joint venture of Boeing and Bell Helicopter, has been awarded a $366 million modification to a previously awarded contract for V-22 Osprey aircraft, the Pentagon said on Friday.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), the Naval Air Systems Command has awarded Bell Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo a $366,6 million modification to a previously awarded contract for V-22 tiltrotor aircraft.

This modification provides for the production and delivery of three CMV-22B variation in quantity aircraft for the Navy and two MV-22B variation in quantity aircraft for the Marine Corps. 

Also noted that work is expected to be completed in October 2023.

The CMV-22B Osprey, the Navy’s MV-22B variant, combines fixed-wing aircraft speed and range with the vertical lift capabilities of rotary wing platforms, making it the ideal carrier strike group COD and vertical on board delivery (VOD) platform in support of aerial resupply and logistics. The Navy COD crews piloting CMV-22 aircraft will land and take off with forward airspeed, which allows flight at a much higher weight.

The Osprey has already proven its capabilities in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, amphibious assault and medical evacuation missions.

The CMV-22 Osprey is expected to achieve Initial Operational Capability by 2021. As compared to the MV-22B, the Navy variant has extended operational range, a beyond line-of-sight HF radio, improved fuel dump capability, a public address system for passengers, and an improved lighting system for cargo loading.