Boeing & Bell Helicopter To Update Older MV-22 Aircraft For U.S. Marine Corps

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Bell Boeing will be updating older Block B standard MV-22 Osprey aircraft to the newer Block C standard. The modernizations also support the U.S. Marine Corp’s V-22 Common Configuration-Readiness and Modernization program. (Photo courtesy of Boeing.)

In an effort to standardize and modernize the MV-22 Osprey for the U.S. Marine Corps, Boeing and Bell Helicopter will be modifying some MV-22 aircraft to bring the fleet up to the Block C standard. The Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey is a multirole combat aircraft, which uses tiltrotor technology to provide the vertical performance of a helicopter with the extra speed and range of a fixed-wing aircraft. Most notably, the V-22 Osprey takes off like a helicopter, and when airborne, the nacelles can rotate to serve as turboprop airplane for high-speed, high-altitude flight.

Updating The MV-22 Osprey

The modifications will reduce possible MV-22 fleet configurations by improving all Block B aircraft to the Block C configuration. Block B aircraft were delivered to the U.S. Marine Corp from 2005 to 2011, and Block C aircraft have been in production since 2010. The Block C standard improves MV-22’s weather radar, hover coupled features, and environmental conditioning systems. Block C also adds a forward firing ALE-47 Airborne Countermeasures Dispenser System. “Our team is ready to take the MV-22 program into the future,” said Kristin Houston, vice president, Boeing Tiltrotor Programs and program director, Bell Boeing V-22 Program.

V-22 CC-RAM

The U.S. Marine Corps created the V-22 Common Configuration-Readiness and Modernization (CC-RAM) program to improve the long-term sustainability of the MV-22 Osprey. “We look forward to the supportability benefits this program will provide as the MV-22 continues to effectively deliver Marines into and out of harm’s way,” said U.S. Marine Corps Col. Matthew Kelly, V-22 joint program manager. Houston adds, “Our integrated approach to managing CC-RAM will extend V-22 service life for the Marines and provide modernized technical capabilities to dedicated servicemen and women around the world.”

Osprey Specs

The MV-22 Osprey can carry 24 combat troops or 20,000 pounds (9,071 kilograms) and boasts a maximum speed of 275 knots (316 mph, 443 km/h). To take up less space on an aircraft carrier, the Osprey’s wings can fold up, so the aircraft has stowing dimensions of 63 feet (19 meters) by 18 feet (5.5 meters) by 18 feet (5.5 meters). As of November 2017, the MV-22 Osprey fleet topped 400,000 flight hours.

When & Where

The first MV-22 to be modified arrived at Boeing’s Philadelphia facility in early 2018 and two additional aircraft will arrive within the next year. The MV-22 aircraft will also undergo some other modifications at Bell’s facility in Fort Worth, Texas.

Source: Boeing