Bell-Boeing wins US$4.2 bn order for V-22B tiltrotor aircraft production

July 2018

Bell-Boeing has been awarded a US$4.2 billion contract for V-22B tiltrotor aircraft production, the US Department of Defense announced on June 29, 2018.

Bell Boeing wins U 4 2 bn order for V 22B tiltrotor aircraft productio 001 A CV-22B Osprey assigned to the USAF 7th Special Operations Squadron performs an aerial display of its capabilities during the Royal International Air Tattoo at Royal Air Force Fairford, England, July 19, 2015
(Credit: U.S. Air Force photo/Sgt. Chrissy Best)

Under this major order, Bell-Boeing will manufacture and deliver 39 CMV-22B aircraft for the Navy; 34 MV-22B aircraft for the Marine Corps; 1 CV-22B for the Air Force; and 4 MV-22B aircraft for the government of Japan.  

Work will mainly be performed in Fort Worth, Texas and Ridley Park, Pennsylvania and is expected to be completed in November 2024. ”The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity,” the Pentagon added. 

Besides the US armed forces order, the contract provides for four MV-22B platforms for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. Tokyo received the US State Department approval for MV-22B purchase in 2015, an order worth US$3 billion. 

“Japan is modernizing its transport fleet to better support its defense and special mission needs. The proposed sale of V-22B Block C Osprey aircraft will greatly enhance the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s humanitarian and disaster relief capabilities and support amphibious operations,” the FMS quoted. 

In addition to the 17 aircraft, the proposed sales package included 40 AE1107C Rolls Royce Engines, 40 AN/AAQ-27 forward looking infrared radars, 40 AN/AAR-47 missile warning systems, 40 AN/APR-39 radar warning receivers, and 40 AN/ALE-47 counter-measure dispenser systems.