Bell-Boeing to upgrade weather radar, electronic warfare (EW) avionics in three MV-22 aircraft
PATUXENT RIVER NAS, Md. – Avionics designers at the Bell-Boeing joint venture will upgrade three U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 tiltrotor aircraft with new weather radar, electronic warfare (EW) system, redesigned crew environmental conditioning system, and other avionics improvements under terms of a $69.7 million order announced Tuesday.
Official of the Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., are asking the Bell-Boeing JPO in Amarillo, Texas, to upgrade three MV-22 aircraft from the Block B to the Block C configuration in support of the V-22 common configuration-readiness and modernization (CC-RAM).
The MV-22 Block B aircraft was the first deployable configuration of the Osprey tiltrotor. This block improved access to the nacelle for inspection purposes, and substantial reliability and maintenance improvements.
Block C aircraft incorporate mission enhancements and increased operational capability, including weather radar, a forward firing ALE-47 airborne countermeasures dispenser system, improved hover coupled features, an improved environmental conditioning system, and a troop commander SA station.
Related: Bell-Boeing to design new integrated avionics processor for V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft
The V-22 Osprey uses tiltrotor technology to combine the vertical performance of a helicopter with the speed and range of a fixed-wing aircraft. It features vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) and short take-off and landing (STOL) capabilities, and is designed long-range high-speed missions.
The Marine Corps MV-22 primarily is to transport warfighters, equipment, and supplies from ships and land bases for combat assault and assault support. The aircraft also supports naval missions like combat search and rescue, fleet logistics support, special warfare support, amphibious assault, ship-to-objective maneuvers, and sustained operations ashore.
The MV-22 can transport 24 combat troops and 20,000 pounds of internal cargo, or 15,000 pounds of external cargo. On this order Bell-Boeing will do the work in Ridley Park and Glen Riddle, Pa.; Fort Worth, Texas; Park City, Utah; and other U.S. locations, and should be finished by May 2020.
For more information contact the Bell-Boeing joint venture online at www.bellhelicopter.com/military/bell-boeing-v-22 or www.boeing.com/defense/v-22-osprey, or Naval Air Systems Command at www.navair.navy.mil.
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John Keller | Editor
John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.
