Bell and Boeing begin nacelle improvements on US Air Force CV-22
Modifications to support reduction in repair time and improve readiness
The first US Air Force CV-22 Osprey has arrived at Bell’s Amarillo Assembly Center as part of an ongoing process between Bell and Boeing to further the Osprey’s reliability and maintainability.
Bell and Boeing were awarded the US$81 million contract by US Naval Air Systems Command in December 2020 to complete nacelle improvements across the CV-22 fleet. Around 60 per cent of maintenance man hours are spent addressing the nacelles.
Kurt Fuller, V-22 Program Director and Bell Vice President, commented: “We worked directly with our Department of Defense partners, including servicemen and women who maintain these transformational aircraft, in development of the targeted improvements within the nacelle to increase readiness rates while driving down sustainment costs.”
The V-22 Osprey has been a mainstay of CSAR, and the USNS Mercy conducted the first flight deck land of the Osprey in April 2021.
Khai Trung Le
Khai Trung Le is Editor of AirMed&Rescue. He is an experienced science writer, having previously been embedded in Cardiff University College of Physical Sciences, Innovate UK research council, and the UK Institute of Material Sciences. His writing can also be found on Star Trek and Vice.