Bell Boeing has secured a contract from Naval Air Systems Command to develop, design and install nacelle modification kits on the CV-22 Osprey.
The contract also includes installation of conversion area harnesses on the CV-22 Osprey.
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CV-22 Osprey is the Air Force Special Operations Command’s (AFSOC) variant of the US Marine Corps’ tiltrotor aircraft ‘MV-22 Osprey’.
It is designed to conduct long-range infiltration, exfiltration and resupply missions for special operations forces.
V-22 Joint Program Office (PMA-275) programme manager Colonel Matthew Kelly said: “This complex effort will improve both the reliability and maintainability in one of the most critical areas on the aircraft.”
The nacelles and harnesses are considered as crucial and complex elements for the V-22 aircraft. These are responsible for giving the aircraft a ‘unique ability’ to fly vertically and horizontally.
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By GlobalDataThe proposed modifications for the nacelles were designed as per the feedback of the maintainers from US Air Force (USAF) and Marine Corps to improve access.
PMA-275 CV-22 programme manager Colonel Brian Clifford said: “Approximately 60% of maintenance man hours are spent in the nacelles. By refining the design for maintainability in these areas, we will ultimately reduce repair time and improve readiness.”
Initial delivery of nacelle modification kits under the latest contract are slated for completion late this year at Bell’s Amarillo Assembly Center in Amarillo, Texas.
According to Navair, the Marine Corps and navy are seeking to incorporate the nacelle and wiring enhancements onto the variants of MV-22 and CMV-22B aircraft.
The V-22 Osprey is a joint-service, medium-lift, multimission tilt-rotor aircraft developed by Boeing and Bell Helicopters.
