“This Platform’s Impact Can’t Be Overstated”
Bell/Boeing delivered the 400th V-22 OSPREY – a CV-22 model – to the US DoD on 2 June, marking a milestone for the world’s first production tiltrotor aircraft.
“The delivery of the 400th V-22 represents the demand for this platform’s unique capabilities. It is a testament to the diligence of the men and women from Bell, Boeing and our entire supply chain who build and deliver this incredible aircraft to our customers,” commented Kurt Fuller, Bell V-22 VP and Bell/Boeing Program Director. “For over 30 years, the people who support the Bell Boeing V-22 have been the foundation in bringing tiltrotor capabilities to the world.”
The CV-22 is the special operations variant of the OSPREY. Its primary mission is to conduct long-range infiltration, exfiltration and resupply missions for Air Commandos around the world and at a moment’s notice.
“It’s been over 20 years since the first production V-22 was delivered [and they] continue to be in high demand, protecting our country and our allies around the world through combat operations, international training partnerships and humanitarian missions,” observed USMC Col Matthew Kelly, Program Manager for the V-22 Joint Program Office (PMA-275). “This platform’s impact can’t be overstated.”
The V-22 Osprey’s combination of speed, range, payload and vertical lift are ideally suited to the diverse environments, geographies and mission types conducted by operators around the world. The Marine Corps variant, the MV-22B, provides safe and reliable transport of personnel, supplies and equipment for combat assault, assault support and fleet logistics. Since 2007, the aircraft has been continuously forward-deployed in a range of combat, humanitarian and special operations. The Navy variant, the CMV-22B, is the replacement for the C-2A GREYHOUND for the carrier onboard delivery mission.
OSPREYs continue to transform airpower capabilities by enabling the successful completion of missions not possible with conventional aircraft. The V-22 production line is currently on its third multi-year procurement contract.
