USMC CC-RAM Programme Reduces Configuration Variants

Bell Textron and Boeing have delivered the first modified MV-22 OSPREY to the United States Marine Corps (USMC) for improved readiness and reliability of the tiltrotor fleet, the companies announced on 10 December. The next CC-RAM delivery is expected in early 2020.

The Corps has multiple configurations of the MV-22 aircraft in service. Under the Common Configuration – Readiness and Modernization (CC-RAM) programme, Bell Boeing is reducing the number of configurations by upgrading Block B aircraft to the current Block C configuration.

“Our first CC-RAM aircraft returning to MCAS New River was a key program benchmark,” commented USMC Col Matthew Kelly, Program Manager, V-22 Joint Program Office (PMA-275). “We are excited to see the capability, commonality and readiness improvements these CC-RAM aircraft bring to the fleet as part of the Marine Corps’ V-22 readiness program.”

“This delivery is an important milestone for the Marine Corps’ MV-22 readiness and modernization campaign,” added Chris Gehler, Bell V-22 VP and Program Director. “Through this campaign, Bell Boeing, in partnership with HQMC and NAVAIR, is returning improved MV-22s to the fleet where the V-22 continues to be an essential aviation resource worldwide […] We look forward to having the remaining MV-22 Block B aircraft rejoin the fleet in a Block C configuration.”

In November 2019, the US Navy awarded Bell Boeing a $146 million contract to upgrade nine additional MV-22 aircraft under the CC-RAM programme, with work expected to be completed in March 2022.