Bell Boeing awarderd $1.64B contract for Osprey tiltrotor aircraft components.

Bell Boeing Joint Program Office, California, Maryland, is awarded a not-to-exceed $1,643,701,284 firm-fixed-price, performance-based logistics requirements contract for the repair, replacement, required availability, configuration management, and inventory management for supply support for 228 MV-22B (Marine); CMV-22 (Navy); and CV-22 (Air Force) Osprey aircraft components. 

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U.S. Air Force CV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft  (Picture source: US Air Force)

The Osprey is a tiltrotor aircraft with a 38-foot rotor system and engine/transmission nacelle mounted on each wing tip. It can operate as a helicopter when taking off and landing vertically. Once airborne, the nacelles rotate forward 90 degrees for horizontal flight, converting the V-22 to a high-speed, fuel-efficient turboprop airplane. The wing rotates for compact storage aboard ship.

The CV-22 Osprey is a tiltrotor aircraft that combines the vertical takeoff, hover, and vertical landing qualities of a helicopter with the long-range, fuel efficiency, and speed characteristics of a turboprop aircraft. The mission of the CV-22 is to conduct long-range infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply missions for special operations forces.

This versatile, self-deployable aircraft offers increased speed and range over other rotary-wing aircraft, enabling Air Force Special Operations Command aircrews to execute long-range special operations missions. The CV-22 can perform missions that normally would require both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. The CV-22 takes off vertically and, once airborne, the nacelles (engine and prop-rotor group) on each wing can rotate into a forward position.

The CV-22 is equipped with integrated threat countermeasures, terrain-following radar, forward-looking infrared sensor, and other systems that allow it to operate in various austere conditions.

The Marine Corps’ MV-22B is an assault transport for troops, equipment and supplies, capable of operating from ships or from expeditionary airfields ashore.

The Navy’s CMV-22B replaces the C-2A Greyhound for the Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD) mission. Its mission is to transport personnel, mail, supplies and high-priority cargo from shore bases to aircraft carriers at sea.

The contract will include a five-year base period with no options. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (97%); and Ridley Park, Pennsylvania (3%). Work is expected to be completed by December 2026. Annual working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $246,555,193 will be issued for delivery order N00383-22-F-0ZV0 that will be awarded concurrently with the contract and will initially be obligated at the time of award as an undefinitized contract action with a commitment of an additional $82,185,064 for period of performance from January 2022 through December 2022.

An MV-22 Osprey takes off from the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (Picture source: US Air Force)